United States · California

Foxen

Foxen Vineyard and Winery was founded in 1987 by Bill Wathen and Richard Doré on a historic 2,000-acre ranch in the Santa Maria Valley. The winery is one of the pioneering Pinot Noir and Syrah producers of Santa Barbara County, with a particular focus on vineyard-designated bottlings from Bien Nacido, Sea Smoke, Tinaquaic, and Julia's Vineyard. The 7200 series—named for the ranch's historic address—offers single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Rhône varieties that demonstrate the estate's diversity. Auction activity covers 386 lots at an average of $43, with Pinot Noir Block 8 from Bien Nacido (31 lots, $38) and Pinot Noir Sea Smoke Vineyard (30 lots, $74) as the top wines. The 2009 vintage is the most-traded overall, and Sea Smoke achieves the highest per-bottle auction price ($74, peak in 2009). Foxen's modest auction pricing—max at $223—reflects its positioning as a quality-focused Santa Barbara producer rather than a nationally hyped collectible. The Williamson-Dore Syrah, named for the two founders, averages $28 but is a historically important wine for California Syrah.