Peter Michael Winery

Peter Michael Winery is one of the most critically acclaimed and sought-after wine estates in California. Sir Peter Michael — a British entrepreneur who fell in love with the Sonoma County hills above Calistoga — established the Knights Valley estate in 1987 on volcanic soils in the shadow of Mount St. Helena, at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,200 feet. The property is extraordinary: ancient volcanic soils, dramatic elevation changes, diverse microclimates, and an orientation that captures both morning sun and afternoon marine influence from the Sonoma Coast.

The wine program focuses on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir produced from nine distinct estate vineyard blocks, each farmed with the precision of a Burgundy Grand Cru. Mon Plaisir Chardonnay has earned 99 points multiple times; Belle Côte Chardonnay has appeared on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year five times; and the estate Pinot Noirs from Clos du Ciel and Lulu's Vineyard consistently earn 95–98 points from major critics. Paul Hobbs consulted for the early vintages, establishing the quality template that current winemaker Nicolas Morlet has refined.

Very limited appointment-only access is available to the estate above Calistoga — one of California wine's ultimate pilgrimages for collectors who want to experience the source of consistently 95–99 point wines in their native volcanic Knights Valley landscape.