Gainey

In 1962, Daniel C. and son Daniel J. Gainey purchased an 1,800 acre ranch on the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley, CA. But it was not until Daniel J. returned in 1983 to plant 51 acres worth of vineyards that Gainey Winery was born. With over 40 years of farming experience behind them, the Gaineys have a connection to the land that has led to the success of Gainey Vineyards. Since the original vineyard planting in 1983, Daniel J. and son Daniel H. Gainey have added 32 acres to their "Home" Ranch, which is primarily planted to the Bordeaux varietals Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Franc according to our Gainey wine reviews. In the 1990’s, the family purchased and planted a 120 acre parcel along Santa Rosa Road in what would later become the Santa Rita Hills AVA with mainly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah for their Gainey wines. Gainey Vineyards produces about 18,000 cases annually with their collection of ["Limited Selection"] bottlings receiving the highest accolades in our Gainey wine ratings. To see which of their wines are right for you be sure to check out our Gainey online wine guide below.

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Gainey 1996 Limited Selection Merlot (Santa Ynez Valley)

Price $25

Here’s a stunning Merlot, not from the North Coast but a warmish region of Santa Barbara. Shows currant and dark-chocolate aromas with soy, anise and leather. Drinks soft and rich, really high quality, such depth and intensity. A great Merlot, but only 170 cases to go around. — S.H. (9/1/1999)

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Gainey 2008 Limited Selection Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)

Editors' Choice

Price $48

An absolutely lovely Pinot, the best in Gainey’s long career. Dry, smooth and silky, it defines Pinot’s more Burgundian side, with mushroomy notes along with perfectly ripe cherries and raspberries, accented with brilliant acidity. The oak treatment is tasteful and blends in seamlessly, offering a hint of toast. The wine treads an exciting line between ripeness and… — S.H. (12/1/2010)

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Gainey 2004 Limited Selection Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

Price $38

The grapes actually are from an estate vineyard in the warmer eastern Santa Rita Hills, with 12% from Santa Ynez Valley, which makes it more or less a blend of warm and cool climates. This pretty Syrah shows a varietal purity and structural integrity that make it great. Smooth and long in the finish, it’s a tour de force of black currants, licorice, cola, cedar… — S.H. (6/1/2007)

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Gainey 2005 Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $20

Another beautiful wine from Gainey, a great producer whose Sauvignon Blanc comes from one of the best terroirs for that variety in California. The aroma is so invitingly rich in lemongrass, pineapple zest, Key lime pie and coconut macaroon that you almost fear it won’t follow up in the mouth, but it does. Bone dry, rich, zesty and clean, it seems to have benefited… — S.H. (5/1/2007)

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Gainey 2007 Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)

Editors' Choice
Online Exclusive

Price $20

This bottling from veteran Gainey is one of the most dependable in California. The ’07 doesn’t disappoint, bringing back memories of the fabulous ’04 and ’05. Like them, it’s dry, rich and crisp in acidity, with a sourdough yeastiness, like Champagne, that heightens and brightens the lemon, lime, fig and spice flavors. — S.H. (2/1/2009)

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Gainey 2001 Limited Selection Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County)

Editors' Choice

Price $35

An enormous, complex, brooding and extraordinary Pinot Noir, a blend of Bien Nacido and Gainey’s Santa Rosa Hills vineyards. Opens with a blast of peppery, cherry fruit, with tobacco and minty overtones. The rich berry flavors in a creamy texture, with sweet oak tannins, feel ripe, plush and terrific in the mouth. Editors’ Choice. — S.H. (7/1/2003)

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Gainey 2005 Limited Selection Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)

Price $44

Gainey’s regular ’05 was a beautiful wine. This is more full-bodied, richer and higher in alcohol, and merits its reserve status. It’s a young wine, opulent in cherries and raspberries that have a baked pie-filling warmth, and complexed with cola, sweet leather, figs, pomegranates and dusty Asian spices. Very delicious now, it should develop additional complexities… — S.H. (12/31/2007)

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Gainey 1999 Merlot (Santa Ynez Valley)

Price $20

Picked before the grapes reached full maturity, this wine treads a complex line between blackberry and plum flavors and minty, herbal ones. American oak also adds a streak of sharp green mint. The balance works to the wine’s advantage. Dry, dusty tannins are rich and refined. — S.H. (11/15/2002)

Most Reviewed Designations

Limited Limited Selection Limited Selection Late Harvest Triada

Most Reviewed Varietals

Chardonnay Grenache Merlot Pinot Noir Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Syrah

2009 Cobblestone Cobblestone Vineyard Reserve

An impressive Cabernet, rich and dense in fruit and oak, with tremendous…

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