Sean Thackrey Web site

In 1979 Sean Thackrey turned his hand from selling antique books to winemaking. He is definitely not your usual winemaker. Living on the edge of the world down in Marin county he makes these handcrafted wines in his outdoor winery beneath the eucalyptus trees. Pleiades is very much his “chef’ s special”. It doesn’t bear a vintage (Roman numerals depict the identity of the particular version) nor does he put the same grape varieties in it every year. XIV is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre amongst many others that is meant to be drunk right now, which accounts for its wonderful accessibility and appeal. It’s warm, ripe and deliciously luscious with soft velvety tannins. Orion, a pure Syrah is a different beast: young, intense and vibrant with plum, raspberry and toasty oak, it comes from the Andrew Rossi vineyard in St. Helena, where the vines, planted in 1905 are old, gnarled and extremely low yielding. We’re lucky to have any wine from Sean at all this year since almost his entire stock was incinerated last year. In fact we have a larger range than ever before, enhanced by the addition of the Marin County Andromeda Pinot, a somewhat massive creature with deep fruit, spice, and considerable concentration, and the softer, more cherry fruit beguiling Aquila Sangiovese.