Gary Farrell Winery in Healdsburg, Sonoma County

Gary Farrell Winery was founded in 1982 with a clear focus: to craft exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley’s most iconic vineyard sites. From the beginning, their philosophy was rooted in relationships with growers, with the land, and with the people who love great wine. Gary forged long-standing partnerships with some of the region’s most esteemed vineyards, including Rochioli, Allen, Hallberg, and Ritchie all of which we still work with today.

Perched atop a ridge in the Russian River Valley’s, their winery offers sweeping views of the forested hills below, creating a truly immersive tasting experience. But what makes Gary Farrell is committed to capturing the distinct personality of each vineyard site. Under the stewardship of Winemaker Brent McKoy, they continue to explore the nuances of the Russian River Valley and beyond, crafting wines that are elegant, expressive, and true to their origin.

We interview McKoy to learn more.

What type of wine do you specialize in? 

Gary Farrell Winemaker Brent McKoy: We specialize in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley and select coastal vineyards. These cool-climate varietals allow us to craft elegant, site-driven wines that reflect the unique character of each vineyard.

Share a popular tasting experience.

Brent McKoy: One of our most popular experiences is the Discovery Tasting, which offers a guided flight of limited-production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, each sourced from some of Sonoma County’s most renowned vineyard sites. Guests get to taste side-by-side expressions of the same varietals grown in differentareas—like the foggy Sonoma Coast versus the warmer Middle Reach of the Russian River Valley—highlighting how site and climate shape the wine.

Tell us about your tasting room.

Brent McKoy: Perched high above the Russian River Valley, our tasting room offers one of the most stunning views in SonomaCounty. Guests can choose from three unique tasting spaces, each designed to create a memorable and relaxed wine experience.

The Salon is an elegant indoor space surrounded by glass, offering year-round views of the forested hills andvalley below. The Terrace is our outdoor tasting area—perfect for soaking up the sunshine with a flight of Pinot and Chardonnay in hand. And for a more laid-back vibe, The Overlook is a casual lounge where you can settlein, sip, and take in the sweeping vistas at your own pace.

Whether you’re looking for a deep dive into single-vineyard wines or just a beautiful place to spend the afternoon,our team is here to make your visit welcoming, informative, and always rooted in a sense of place.

What makes your wine unique?

Brent McKoy: Our wines are rooted in place. We focus on cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, sourcing fromsome of the most iconic vineyards in the Russian River Valley. What sets us apart is our long-standing grower relationships, a gentle, hands-on winemaking approach, and a commitment to letting each vineyard’s voice shine through with elegance and balance.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your winery?

Brent McKoy: We’ve been quietly shaping the Russian River Valley wine scene for over 40 years but we’re not stuck in the past. While our vineyard partnerships and winemaking roots run deep, our approach to hospitality is relaxed, welcoming, and all about helping guests connect with the story behind the wine.

Our tasting experiences are designed to be approachable and engaging, just beautiful views, great conversation,and wines that speak to place. Whether you’re new to wine or a long-term enthusiast, there’s always something new to explore, and we love being part of that discovery.

How did you get started in the wine industry?

Brent McKoy: I got started in the wine industry after becoming interested in wine production while traveling. I had formally worked in the art industry and decided to come to California and see what it would be like to work during the harvest season. I took an internship in Napa Valley and never looked back.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the winemaking process? 

Brent McKoy: The biggest thing that I’ve learned over the years about making wine is that the small details matter and that it’s important to be involved in every step of the process as much as practical. I’ve also learned how important trust is as itrelates to teammates and people that you work closely with. There are many ways to achieve the same goal, and it’s important to recognize specific skills that individuals may have. The wine industry attracts all types of different people and for me, meeting new people and sharing experiences is rewarding.

Do you remember the first time you fell in love with wine?

Brent McKoy: I had moved on from my art industry career and was living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At the time I was working with an arborist, learning about tree care and the importance of taking care of the land. These conversations evolved into talks about agriculture and wine growing. I remember sharing a bottle of Merlot around a campfire amongst the stars. It was an eye-opening experience, and at that moment I realized how special a bottle of wine could be when shared.

Describe your winemaking philosophy.

Brent McKoy: My winemaking philosophy revolves around respecting the individual nature of each vineyard site and working close with our growers to receive fruit that gives us the best chance to represent their individual site. I’m a big believer in being actively involved in winemaking work as much as possible during vintage. I love punching down tanks and taking the time to see how the wines develop during fermentation. I believe that open-mindedness is important to winemaking overall, and to pay attention to what’s happening each day and not being caught up in pre-conceived expectations. Team is super important to me as well.

Winemaking doesn’t happen in a silo, and having an engaged, committed group of people during the season is critical.

Do you have a favorite story about working at your winery?

Brent McKoy: I’ve worked at Gary Farrell for over twenty years – this will be my 21st vintage at the winery! There are literally too many stories to count, but I am most grateful for the amazing diversity of people that I’ve been fortunate enough to work with over the years. The winemaking community is an international one – we host interns from all over the world each season, and this element is particularly interesting to me.

What do you love about winemaking? 

Brent McKoy: I love the seasonality of winemaking and the new challenges that it presents each season. I appreciate the fact that harvest only comes around once per year, and that we must really focus on what is a fleeting moment in time. Everything happens quickly and it’s great to be able to work with a new team each year to craft what we hope are singularly expressive wines. I also enjoy the hands of nature of the work and the idea that what you put in in usually commensurate withwhat you get out of it.

Do you have any winery traditions with your team? 

Brent McKoy: Every day is a new adventure at the winery and wehave a tightly woven group. We all love sharing a meal together when we can and getting out see the beautiful locations that we source fruit from.