The beginning….

 

 

After purchasing an estate in Carmel Valley, California, a determination was made that a landslide could occur from the hillside above the house. In order to protect the property, vegetation needed to be planted throughout the hillside. Considering the southwest facing slope, with a soil composition of medium loams and chalk rock, it was determined the best vegetation would be grape vines with the typical European style cross-hill terracing.  So from here began the journey into winemaking..

 

The first vine planted on the hillside in 1987 consisted of Cabernet Sauvignon this was named after Owner/ Head-Winemaker Frank Joyce’s first born son, Russell James Joyce.  After traveling though the wine regions of Burgundy and Pomerol in France, Frank pirated some very special merlot clones from a world re-nowned vineyard.  After years of grafting these clones a second vineyard was planted in 1993. On the hillside above Russell’s Vineyard on a forty-two degree hillside these merlot cuttings where planted and named after Frank’s second son, Michael Joseph Joyce. The wine that is made from these grapes is known as Michael’s Merlot.  An additional vineyard was added in 1996 located in the front of the family estate producing the Joyce Estate Pinot Noir and the Joyce Estate Syrah.

 

In a small winery located on the property Frank Joyce bean turning his grapes into elegant wines, he has studied at UC Davis under noted winemakers such as Paul Hobbs of Paul Hobbs Wines and Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead.  As production of the winery grew the winery was relocated to a private production facility in Salinas, CA.  Frank Joyce, son Russell Joyce and other members of their team have a complete hand on approach to handcrafting their wines. The winery has expanded over the years to other vineyards and distribution in multiple states. Joyce Winery now currently produces two chardonnays, three pinot noirs, two syrahs, two merlots, two cabernet sauvignons and a sauterne-like pudding wine.