United States · California

Carlisle

Carlisle Winery was founded in 1998 in Windsor, Sonoma County, by Mike and Kendall Officer, who built the project on a commitment to old-vine Zinfandel and Rhone varieties grown in Sonoma's warmer inland appellations. The portfolio draws fruit almost exclusively from vineyards planted between 1880 and the 1960s, including the Carlisle Vineyard itself (planted 1927), Saitone Ranch, Dupratt, Montafi Ranch, and Bedrock. These ancient vines — many field blends — produce naturally concentrated, low-yielding fruit that the Officers craft with minimal intervention: native yeast fermentation, limited new oak, and no added water or acid. Zinfandel dominates the portfolio and defines the house style: generous, fruit-forward wines with the alcoholic intensity (typically 15–15.5% ABV) that characterizes Russian River Valley and Dry Creek old-vine material. At auction, the Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel and the Saitone Ranch lead by volume: 57 and 29 lots respectively at $37 and $47 average, with Saitone commanding the premium for its distinctive Russian River location. Syrah from Carlisle's own vineyard averages $34 across 38 lots. The price ceiling of $160 is modest, reflecting the estate's positioning as a premium but approachable California producer rather than a trophy wine. Total auction activity spans 296 lots at a $37 average — accessible pricing for authentic old-vine Sonoma production.