Dec 30, 2022
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August Briggs Winery
| Owner(s) | Matt Gacso, Jesse Inman, Colette Milliman, Lisa Salling |
| Web site | www.augustbriggswines.com |
| Link to this site |
A family-owned winery that was located on the Silverado Trail in Calistoga, Napa Valley, founded in 1995, producing limited quantities of wines sourced from selected vineyards in California's North Coast counties. Owner August (Joe) Briggs brought over 25 years of winemaking knowledge to his label.
Briggs was one of the few producers to craft a Pinot Meunier. Pinot Noirs were sourced from vineyards in Napa Valley, Carneros, Russian River Valley, and the Sonoma Coast. The excellent wines, about 4,000 cases annually of several varietals, were sold to a dedicated following.
In 2011, August Briggs sold his namesake wine label to a partnership comprised of his nephew, winemaker Jesse Inman, and three, long-time winery employees, Colette Milliman, Matt Gacso and Lisa Salling. The new team assumed ownership of the brand and inventory, and is possibly the only employee-owned winery in California. The original 2-acre estate vineyard and winery was sold to Aubert. August Briggs Winery tasting room is now located in downtown Calistoga at 1307 Lincoln Ave.
Pinot Meunier is sourced from Frediani Vineyard in Calistoga. Pinot Noir is sourced from Sinskey and Green Island vineyards in Carneros, and Dutton, Archer and Cummings vineyards in Russian River Valley.
August Briggs will continue his wine consulting business.
Articles About August Briggs Winery
Reviewed Wines
2012 August Briggs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 200 cases, $38. Sourced from Dutton-
Lorenzo Vineyard located in the Green Valley of Russian River Vally. 100% de-stemmed, inoculated primary
and secondary fermentation, aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 30% new and 70% two-year-old. Unfined
and unfiltered.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Expressive aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry,
cola and baking spices. The bright core of cherry fruit is luscious and ripe, holding court on the palate while
subtle oak sings in the background. A harmonious wine that is stereotypical of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
at its best.
Score: 90.
Reviewed June 14, 2015
ARTICLE »
2012 August Briggs Dijon Clones Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 181 cases, $40. Sourced from Green
Island Vineyard located in the very cool southern end of the Napa Valley. 100% de-stemmed, 2-day cold soak,
inoculated with Assmanhausen yeast. Inoculated malolactic fermentation, aged 9 months in 100% French oak
barrels, 30% new and 70% two and three-year-old. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Light cherry red color in the glass.
Subdued aromas of black cherry and spice, with mid weight flavors of red cherry and cranberry. Forward
drinking with soft tannins and well integrated oak. Not complex, but very easy to like.
Score: 89.
Reviewed June 14, 2015
ARTICLE »
2012 August Briggs Napa Valley Pinot Meunier
14.5% alc., 200 cases, $40. Sourced from Frediani
Vineyard in Calistoga. 100% de-stemmed, 2-day cold soak, inoculated with Assmanhausen yeast. Inoculated
for malolactic fermentation, aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 25% new, and 75% two and three-year-old.
Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of red fruits and balsam lead to
a cherry dominated wine accented with hints of purple fruits and oak. The wine is smoothly textured with
suave tannins, and very drink able, but not particularly complex. Hard to tell this from a Pinot Noir in a blind
test.
Score: 88.
Reviewed June 14, 2015
ARTICLE »
2008 August Briggs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 503 cases,
$38, release date is May 2010. Sourced from Cummings, Dutton and Archer
Vineyards.
·
The fruity nose is subtle but seductive with black cherries flanked by
cola and spice. Moderately light and delicate on the palate, the black cherry core
is enhanced by notes of cola, and fungivorous delights. Beautifully crafted with
well proportioned supple tannins and bright acidity, this is quintessential Russian
River Valley Pinot Noir. Very good.
Reviewed April 23, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 August Briggs Dijon Clones Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.5%
alc., 805 cases, $40, release date is May 2010. Sourced from the
certified organic Sinskey Vineyard (Napa Carneros) and Green island
Vineyard (Napa Valley). Dijon clones.
·
A lovely medium-bodied wine
offering charm from beginning to end. Enticing aromas of black
cherries, cardamon spice and a hint of toasty oak. Juicy melange of
vivid berries and cherries on the palate with a tasty savory note and
supportive but not intrusive oak in the background. The silky tannins make for
easy drinking. The wine picks up intensity in the glass which is always a sign
of a well-crafted wine.
Reviewed April 23, 2010
ARTICLE »
2012 August Briggs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 200 cases, $38. Sourced from Dutton- Lorenzo Vineyard located in the Green Valley of Russian River Vally. 100% de-stemmed, inoculated primary and secondary fermentation, aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 30% new and 70% two-year-old. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Expressive aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, cola and baking spices. The bright core of cherry fruit is luscious and ripe, holding court on the palate while subtle oak sings in the background. A harmonious wine that is stereotypical of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir at its best. Score: 90. Reviewed June 14, 2015 ARTICLE »
2012 August Briggs Dijon Clones Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 181 cases, $40. Sourced from Green Island Vineyard located in the very cool southern end of the Napa Valley. 100% de-stemmed, 2-day cold soak, inoculated with Assmanhausen yeast. Inoculated malolactic fermentation, aged 9 months in 100% French oak barrels, 30% new and 70% two and three-year-old. Unfined and unfiltered. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Subdued aromas of black cherry and spice, with mid weight flavors of red cherry and cranberry. Forward drinking with soft tannins and well integrated oak. Not complex, but very easy to like. Score: 89. Reviewed June 14, 2015 ARTICLE »
2012 August Briggs Napa Valley Pinot Meunier
14.5% alc., 200 cases, $40. Sourced from Frediani Vineyard in Calistoga. 100% de-stemmed, 2-day cold soak, inoculated with Assmanhausen yeast. Inoculated for malolactic fermentation, aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 25% new, and 75% two and three-year-old. Unfined and unfiltered. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of red fruits and balsam lead to a cherry dominated wine accented with hints of purple fruits and oak. The wine is smoothly textured with suave tannins, and very drink able, but not particularly complex. Hard to tell this from a Pinot Noir in a blind test. Score: 88. Reviewed June 14, 2015 ARTICLE »
2008 August Briggs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 503 cases, $38, release date is May 2010. Sourced from Cummings, Dutton and Archer Vineyards. · The fruity nose is subtle but seductive with black cherries flanked by cola and spice. Moderately light and delicate on the palate, the black cherry core is enhanced by notes of cola, and fungivorous delights. Beautifully crafted with well proportioned supple tannins and bright acidity, this is quintessential Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Very good. Reviewed April 23, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 August Briggs Dijon Clones Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 805 cases, $40, release date is May 2010. Sourced from the certified organic Sinskey Vineyard (Napa Carneros) and Green island Vineyard (Napa Valley). Dijon clones. · A lovely medium-bodied wine offering charm from beginning to end. Enticing aromas of black cherries, cardamon spice and a hint of toasty oak. Juicy melange of vivid berries and cherries on the palate with a tasty savory note and supportive but not intrusive oak in the background. The silky tannins make for easy drinking. The wine picks up intensity in the glass which is always a sign of a well-crafted wine. Reviewed April 23, 2010 ARTICLE »