Prospect 772 wines are made with acute attention to all the critical elements of wine crafting and a detailed hands-on approach to creating small lot productions. Cultivated from our own grapes and grown precisely to our specifications on our highly maintained vineyard site, we've created a blend of remarkable wines.

	We called this wine “The Brat” because it is based in Grenache and Grenache is a temperamental grape that basically is difficult to cultivate. It wants to set a big crop but is fragile to the elements during bloom. It is a challenge to say the least, to control the size of the crop so we can obtain deeper flavors. We've blended in Syrah here to create more power and complexities.   |   Wine Notes
	The Brawler says it all in its name; a big wine that needs to be tamed in the winery to become elegant, our Brawler is just that. Specially selected clones are fermented together to create a big brawny wine. We use only the finest French Oak barrels to smooth out the edges of this Syrah based blend and add a little Viognier getting complexities beyond Syrah by itself.   |   Wine Notes
	Baby Doll, a term of endearment used for Wendy, this wine was designed to be fun and refreshing. Intended to be chilled and served on warm afternoons, this wine is crisp and refreshing exhibiting flavors of pink grapefruit, fresh cut melons, cherry cider and strawberries. However, this wine is not just about fresh fruit. There is a background both in aroma and on the palate is a reminder of the terrior where this fruit was grown.   |   Wine Notes
	The name The Instigator comes from our introduction to the Rhone Valley in France. Having been introduced to the wines of Hermitage and Cornas, we find that Syrah is the "Instigator" of our Rhone adventure and the backbone of all of our blends.   |   Wine Notes

We believe that a wine is made in the vineyard and we nurture those grapes in the winery. We prefer small batch fermentations, work with controlled temperatures, favor classical blends, and believe very little manipulation lend themselves to brilliant flavors and results. Learn more about our key process, quality production, and the team that introduces these varietals for your enjoyment.

Wine News

April 2013:   Wine Enthusiast
The Instigator 2010 ~ 94 points "Cellar Selection" - Wine Enthusiast
The Brat Sierra Foothills 2010 ~ 92 points "Cellar Selection" - Wine Enthusiast
The Brawler Sierra Foothills 2010 ~ 92 points - Wine Enthusiast

January 2013:   The Wine Spectator ~ California Syrah and More
New reviews of Syrah and Petite Syrah lead a selection of 18 outstanding Rhone-style varietals and blends.

The Brat Sierra Foothills 2010 ~ 91 points - Wine Spectator
Pleasing for its mix of rustic, gravel-laced black berry, black cherry and blackberry flavors, gaining depth and firmness on the finish. Grebache and Syrah. Drink now through 2022. 170 cases made. —J.L.

The Brawler Sierra Foothills 2010 ~ 90 points - Wine Spectator
A rough and tumble effort that's all the more intriguing because of it, offering a rich, complex mix of roasted coffee, dried currant, crushed rock, gravel pit and roasted herb notes. Immense and firmly tannic. Syrah and Viognier. Best from 2013 through 2022. 125 cases made. —J.L.

January 2013:   Wine Spectator
The Instigator 2010 ~ 92 points - Wine Spectator
Offers a pleasantly elegant mix of blackberry, dried berry, subtle earth, cedar and anise. This is most impressive on the finish, with graceful tannins. Drink now through 2021. —J.L.

November 2011:   The Wine Spectator 92s
"The top-scoring wines include a pair of Rhône blends from Prospect 772, a brand founded by Ron Pieretti and Wendy Sanda, tapping the talents of winemaker Jeff Cohn. Based out of Calaveras County in the Sierra foothills, Prospect 772 has developed a reputation for consistent, intense and detailed wines."

The Brat Sierra Foothills 2009 ~ 92 points - Wine Spectator
Hardly a brat, this offers a tight, spicy mix of wild berry, fresh earth, mineral and cedar, Full-bodied and firmly tannic, framing the flavors nicely. Ends with a mineral-laced raspberry core that's fresh and spicy. Grenache and Syrah. Another delightful new wine from this producer. Drink now through 2020. 283 cases made. —J.L.

The Brawler Sierra Foothills 2009 ~ 92 points - Wine Spectator
A potent, rich and graceful mix of scorched earth, dried berry, roasted herb and spices, all tightly focused, with muscular yet well-integrated tannins. Ends in a long, persistent finish with shades of melted licorice. Syrah and Viognier. Best from 2013 through 2023. 173 cases made. —J.L.

November 2011:   The Wine Spectator Insider
A first look at our editors' most exciting new wines
93 points ~ Syrah Sonoma County The Instigator 2009
"Gorgeous pure, ripe, juicy plum, raspberry and pomegranate give it a delicious taste and it firms nicely at mid palate, with a scorched earth mix, well structured yet the flavors remain pure and persistent, ending with a long, long finish. Best from 2012 through 2024. —J.L."

July 2010:   Calaveras Winegrape Alliance
Meet Prospect 772
At Prospect 772 it's all about the ultimate in creature comfort with fine wine, food, atmosphere and friends.

November 2008:   The Wine Spectator Insider
The Wine Spectator Insider features 37 exceptional new wines from California, France and Spain.
90 points ~ The Brawler Calaveras County 2006
A ripe, juicy style. Full-bodied, with complex cherry, currant and wild berry fruit that?s well-proportioned, turning supple and polished on the finish. Syrah and Viognier. Drink now through 2013.   —James Laube Wine Spectator

July 2008:   The Wine Enthusiast
The Sierra Foothills Come Alive
The regions winemakers are modernizing and introducing new varieties to atone for the Zins of the past.

March 31, 2008:   Wine Spectator
Promising New Producers
Dozens of new California Rhone producers emerge each year, drawn by the adaptability of the Rhone grapes to the state's diverse winegrowing regions.

November 2007: Wine Spectator ~ Tasting Highlights: California's Rhone Varietals
California's Rhone grape-based wines continue to impress, including some exciting Syrahsfrom the Sierra Foothills
91 points ~ The Brat Calaveras County 2005
Savory, with supple flavors that build, with spice, dried berry, anise and sage, supported by firm tannins and ending with a hint of spice and cedar. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2011. 150 cases made.   —James Laube Wine Spectator
93 points The Brawler Calaveras County 2005
Firm, ripe, intense and concentrated, with rich plum, blueberry, spice, anise, sage and light cedar. Offers complexity, depth and focus, with a long, persistent finish. The dash ofViognier gives this a sweet spot. Syrah and Viognier. Drink now through 2012. 150 cases made.   —James Laube Wine Spectator

August 1, 2006:   Calaveras Enterprise, Calaveras County, California
Annual vineyard tour offers lessons for grape growers
Calaveras County is going to have to chart its own, unique course in wine offerings if it hopes to generate the kind of interest enjoyed in grape-growing areas such as Napa.