Information Archive

Introducing Au Paradis

In this issue we introduce the newest addition to our family of wines, Au Paradis, a Cabernet Sauvignon from our Oakville AVA vineyard in Napa Valley.

Releasing: 2011 Au Paradis, 2011 L’Esprit des Pavots, 2013 L’Après-Midi, 2012 Mon Plaisir, Ma Belle-Fille, Point Rouge, Ma Danseuse, and Clos du Ciel.

Fifteen Kinds of Excellence

In this issue we provide an overview of our portfolio of hand crafted wines and a bit of the history.  The winery now makes 15 different bottlings. 

Releasing: 2011 Les Pavots, 2012 Le Moulin Rouge, 2012 Le Caprice, 2012 La Carrière, 2012 Belle-Côte, 2012 Cuvée Indigène.

Entourage - A Meeting of Professionals

We provide a glimpse of the winery's Entourage process: engaging wine industry professionals to advise on our efforts and the overall trends of the industry. 

Releasing: 2010 L’Esprit des Pavots, 2012 L’Après-Midi, 2011 Mon Plaisir, Ma Belle-Fille, Le Moulin Rouge, Le Caprice, Ma Danseuse, and Clos du Ciel.

A New Dawn in Communications

We provide an overview of the winery’s social media activities.  Over the past few months, the winery has quietly created a presence in this important new communications arena.  Also, we cover a basic why and how on decanting wine.

Releasing: 2010 Les Pavots, 2011 La Carrière and Belle Côte.

Natural Winemaking: The Whites

We explain a little about the techniques we use to produce our white wines. Also, we provide a glimpse of the role the Michael Family plays as champions of California wine in Europe.

Releasing: 2009 L’Esprit des Pavots, 2011 L’Après-Midi, 2010 Mon Plaisir, Ma Belle-Fille, Point Rouge, Le Moulin Rouge, Le Caprice, Ma Danseuse, and Clos du Ciel.

Les Pavots, the Culmination of a Dream

We detail the central role Les Pavots, both the vineyard and the wine, plays in the Michael Family’s vision for a great wine estate. 

Releasing: 2010 Belle Côte, La Carrière, Cuvée Indigène; and 2009 Les Pavots.

Introducing Our Three New Pinots
We proudly introduce a trio of estate Pinot Noirs from our Seaview Vineyards

Releasing: 2009 Mon Plaisir, Ma Belle-Fille, Point Rouge, Le Moulin Rouge, Le Caprice, Ma Danseuse, Clos du Ciel, 2010 L’Après-Midi, 2008 L’Esprit des Pavots.

Two Decades of Expert Farming

We salute Javier Aviña, our vineyard manager, and his contribution to the quality of our farming. Javier has just celebrated 20 years with the winery.

Releasing: 2009 Belle Côte, La Carrière, Cuvée Indigène; and 2008 Les Pavots.

Serving Up the Bounty
A few of the basic methods we use to serve our wines here at the winery, and why they work to present the wines at their best.

Releasing: 2008 Mon Plaisir, Ma Belle-Fille, Point Rouge, Le Moulin Rouge, Le Caprice, 2009 L’Après-Midi; 2007 L’Esprit des Pavots.

A Noble Trio Completed
Announcing the addition of a new Estate vineyard in the Oakville appellation of Napa Valley, which will produce our new Bordeaux-style bottling.

Releasing: 2008 La Carrière, Belle Côte, Cuvée Indigène; 2007 Les Pavots

L’Esprit des Pavots
How “the little brother” relates to Les Pavots.
Le Caprice
A new bottling of non-estate Russian River Pinot Noir.

Releasing: 2007 Ma Belle-Fille, Point Rouge, Le Moulin Rouge, Le Caprice, 2008 L’Après-Midi, 2006 L’Esprit des Pavots.

Sorting Out the Harvest
Our red berries have to make it past 20 pairs of hands...

Releasing: 2007 La Carrière, Belle Côte, Cuvée Indigène, 2006 Les Pavots.

Two and a Half Decades
The Michael family celebrates the 25th anniversary of the winery by recalling the beginnings.

Releasing: 2006 Mon Plaisir, Ma Belle-Fille, Point Rouge, Le Moulin Rouge, 2007 L’Après-Midi, 2005 L’Esprit des Pavots.

Gems from the Quarry
Releasing our tenth vintage of La Carrière Chardonnay gives us the opportunity to conduct a ten-year vertical tasting.

Releasing: 2006 La Carrière, Belle Côte, Cuvée Indigène, 2005 Les Pavots.

Pinot Noir: Putting Down Roots
A look at the new Seaview Estate Pinot Noir vineyard, plus our two non-estate bottlings.

Releasing: 2005 Mon Plaisir, Ma Belle-Fille, Point Rouge, Le Moulin Rouge, 2006 L’Après-Midi, 2004 L’Esprit des Pavots.

A Paradox on Ida Clayton Ridge
The ridges and canyons channel the flow of marine air and create varied micro- climates on the estate.

Releasing: 2005 La Carrière, Belle Côte, Cuvée Indigène, 2004 Les Pavots.

Preserving our Liquid Assets
The “Fish Friendly Farming” movement, water management and watershed health.

Releasing: 2004 Mon Plaisir, Ma Belle-Fille, Cuvée Indigène, Point Rouge, Le Moulin Rouge, 2005 L’Après-Midi, 2003 L’Esprit des Pavots.

A Family Passion
Winemaker Luc Morlet becomes PMW’s consultant as his brother Nicolas Morlet replaces him as full-time winemaker.

Releasing: 2004 La Carrière, Belle Côte, 2003 Les Pavots.

Preserving Craftsmanship
The “Craftsman” theme can be found literally in our winery design and furnishings as well as in our winemaking philosophy.

Releasing: 2003 Mon Plaisir, Ma Belle-Fille, Cuvée Indigène, Point Rouge, Le Moulin Rouge, 2004 L’Après-Midi, 2002 L’Esprit des Pavots.

Hands and Hearts Join to Fight Cancer
The Sir Peter and Lady Michael Foundation produces the culinary book, “Hands and Hearts” to launch a campaign to fund groundbreaking cancer research.

Releasing: 2003 La Carrière, Belle Côte, 2002 Les Pavots.

My Daughter-in-Law
The inaugural Chardonnay release from the Ma Belle-Fille vineyard, is named for Emily Michael, daughter-in-law, or belle-fille, of Pete and Maggie.

Releasing: 2002 Mon Plaisir, Ma Belle-Fille, Cuvée Indigène, Point Rouge, Le Moulin Rouge, 2003 L’Après-Midi, 2001 L’Esprit des Pavots.

Building a Family Legacy
The Sir Peter and Lady M's vision of the winery as a multigenerational family legacy.

Releasing: 2002 Belle Côte, La Carrière, 2001 Les Pavots, 2002 L’Après-Midi.