New Freestone Winery Project On Track

Despite Record-Breaking Rains

By Bill Phelps, Chairman

Many of our friends and supporters are aware that Joseph Phelps Vineyards has embarked on an exciting new project in Sonoma County. Driven by the goal of producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, JPV bought the land near the West Sonoma County town of Freestone beginning in 1999. Approximately 100 acres (82 have been planted to Pinot Noir and 18 to Chardonnay) are now beginning to produce fruit. The domain is called “Freestone.”

Late in 2005 we broke ground on a new winery building which will be ready for the 2007 harvest. The winery will be a state-of-the-art facility, enabling our team to handcraft wines in small lots in the finest Burgundian tradition. Hensel Phelps Construction Company, headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, is general contractor for the project. Hensel Phelps was founded in 1937 by Joe Phelps’ father Hensel, and Joe ran the company for many years before embarking on a second career as a vintner. Construction crews have made remarkable progress on the building during a winter with record-breaking rains; as of mid-April, more than 95 inches of rain have fallen at the job site!

Because the winery itself will be a private facility, we have purchased a small building in Freestone to host visitors and to showcase the wines. Renovations on this project are well underway, and we hope to be open for business later in 2006.