RIVERS-MARIE

Thomas Rivers Brown is one of California’s most sought-after winemakers.

He began his winemaking journey when he was hired at Turley Wine Cellars by Ehran Jordan in 1997.  Since then, Thomas has become a renowned consultant winemaker for impressive Napa properties such as Schrader Cellars, Maybach, Double Diamond and Outpost to name a few.

We are thrilled to represent Rivers-Marie, a joint project named after Thomas and his business partner, Genevieve Marie.

Rivers-Marie produces cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay focusing on a site-driven, restrained style, inspired by his love of Burgundy. The vineyards are located mostly in the extreme western coast of Sonoma and are farmed with organic practices.

As far as vinification goes, for Chardonnay everything is whole cluster pressed and barrelled immediately. Nothing is inoculated for primary or malo and there is no lees stirring. Wines receive their first sulphur addition post malo then another small dose pre-bottling. Wines generally are unfiltered but on occasion they do receive a polish filtration for clarity. New oak percentages are low across the board from 10-25%.

For Pinot, all the wines are 100% destemmed. They are cold soaked for 7 days and then allowed to warm gradually for spontaneous fermentation. They are punched twice a day while active. As they slow down, punch downs are decided daily based on colour and structure.

Tanks are sealed for two days after sugar readings go negative then pressed after cap collapses. All free run and press go into tank and is
settled overnight then barrelled the following day. No sulphur until malo completes. Wines are racked after malo and then at bottling. Wines are bottled after 10 months in oak. Oak percentages range widely from 0% for the Sonoma Coast to 100% for the Summa Old Vines.