Twomey Cellars
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Winery |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Duncan Family |
| Headquarters | Calistoga, California , United States |
Area served | Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Anderson Valley, Willamette Valley |
Key people | Nate Weis (Director of Winemaking), Ben Cane (former Winemaker) |
| Products | Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Merlot wines |
| Parent | Silver Oak Cellars (managed by Duncan Family) |
| Website | www |
Twomey Cellars (pronounced too-me) is a winery based in California, established in 1999 by the Duncan Family, who have also managed the well-known Silver Oak Cellars since 1972. The inception of Twomey was driven by a desire to specialize in grape varieties other than Cabernet Sauvignon, with a primary focus on crafting Pinot noir and Sauvignon blanc wines. The company operates three distinct winery locations situated in Calistoga (Napa Valley), Healdsburg (Russian River Valley), and Philo (Anderson Valley).
The Sauvignon blanc produced by Twomey is sourced from estate vineyards spanning Napa Valley, Anderson Valley, and Russian River Valley. The name Twomey honors Velma Marie Twomey Duncan, the mother of Ray Duncan. Leadership at the winery includes Nate Weis, who serves as Director of Winemaking for both Twomey and Silver Oak, alongside Ben Cane, who joined the team in 2007 as the Winemaker responsible for Pinot noir and Sauvignon blanc.
Among its accolades, Twomey’s 2009 Russian River Valley Pinot noir secured first place in the American Wine Society's National Tasting Project in 2012. By 2017, the winery's annual production reached around 20,000 cases.
History
The origins of Twomey trace back to the Soda Canyon Ranch Vineyard located in Napa Valley. Acquired by Ray Duncan and his family in 1999 initially to supply Silver Oak’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it was discovered by former Silver Oak Director of Winemaking Daniel Baron that the vineyard was planted with premium French Merlot clones. This insight led Baron to convince the Duncans to establish Twomey and produce Merlot from this site.
Twomey's debut wine was a single vineyard Merlot sourced from Soda Canyon Ranch. In 2000, the winery expanded its operations by purchasing West Pin Vineyard in the Russian River Valley to add Pinot noir production alongside its Napa Merlot offerings. As output increased, the Duncans sought a dedicated facility for Twomey’s winemaking activities. This led to the acquisition of Stonegate Winery in Calistoga in 2003, which became Twomey’s main production site. The Calistoga property is surrounded by Sauvignon blanc vineyards and features a distinctive tasting room characterized by sleek slate flooring and an elegant black bar.
In 2006, the Duncan family further expanded by acquiring Roshambo Winery in Healdsburg to create a second facility focused on producing Pinot noir and Sauvignon blanc. This modern winery boasts architectural elements such as glass walls and curved roofing that harmonize with the surrounding landscape. It underwent significant renovations aimed at enhancing Pinot noir production through the use of small open-top fermentors and precise temperature regulation.
Ben Cane joined Twomey in 2007 as head winemaker for Pinot noir and Sauvignon blanc. In May 2012, acclaimed winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet, formerly associated with Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix and renowned for his work on iconic wines including Chateau Petrus, became a consulting winemaker at Twomey. He collaborated with Daniel Baron specifically on Napa Merlot production. Following Cane's departure in 2014 to Westwood Wines, Erin Miller assumed his role, bringing prior experience from Provingage Wine Associates and Kendall-Jackson’s Vinwood Cellars. That same year, Nate Weis joined Twomey and later succeeded Daniel Baron as Director of Winemaking in 2017. Subsequently, Justin Hirigoyen replaced Miller.
In 2017, Twomey and Silver Oak entered into a strategic alliance as the official wine partner of the San Francisco Giants, enhancing their brand exposure. As of that year, Twomey's production volume stood at roughly 20,000 cases annually.
Vineyards
Twomey’s estate vineyards located in Calistoga and Healdsburg specialize in cultivating Sauvignon Blanc, while Merlot, Pinot noir, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes are obtained from a combination of estate-owned vineyards throughout Napa, Russian River, and Anderson Valleys, as well as through partnerships with independent growers. The Duncan family’s 1999 purchase of Soda Canyon Ranch Vineyard—primarily intended for Silver Oak’s Cabernet Sauvignon production—served as the foundation for Twomey’s creation. This vineyard, positioned in southeastern Napa Valley, is distinguished by its volcanic soil composition and French Merlot clones.
In 2000, Twomey broadened its holdings by acquiring West Pin Vineyard in the Russian River Valley to support Pinot noir cultivation. Further investment by the Duncan family included the 2010 acquisition of Monument Tree Vineyard in Anderson Valley, a site celebrated for its superior Pinot noir grapes. In 2017, they secured Prince Hill Vineyard in Oregon’s Willamette Valley from Dick Erath, thereby gaining exclusive rights for Pinot Noir production.
Twomey’s lineup features three appellation-designated Pinot noirs sourced respectively from Russian River Valley, Anderson Valley, and Sonoma Coast. Additionally, it offers a single vineyard Pinot noir from the esteemed Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley alongside an estate-grown Sauvignon blanc.
Soutirage Traditionnel
Among Northern California wineries, Twomey is one of only two utilizing the meticulous soutirage traditionnel technique for its Merlot production. This process entails aging the wine for 18 months in French oak barrels and transferring it between barrels through gravity rather than mechanical pumps, which helps maintain the wine’s purity. The soutirage method contributes to softening tannins and enhancing aromatic complexity, underpinning Twomey’s distinctive wine profile.
Dry cork sensory screening
In 2009, Silver Oak and Twomey’s Associate Winemaker Christiane Schleussner partnered with Cork Supply USA and Portuguese collaborators to develop "dry cork sensory screening," a commercial approach designed to identify TCA (2,4,6-trichloroanisol), the compound responsible for cork taint. This advancement—documented in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry—improves quality assurance protocols and is actively employed by Twomey.
Sustainability
Reflecting Silver Oak Cellars’ dedication to environmental responsibility, Twomey incorporates sustainable practices and progressive viticulture techniques into its operations. The Duncan family regards ecological stewardship as vital for enduring business success and premium grape quality, reinforcing their leadership role in sustainable winegrowing.
Reception
Sonoma Wine characterizes Twomey's wines as a fusion of traditional French craftsmanship with exceptional California terroir, producing wines with intricate layers and rich fruit profiles. Wine & Spirits commends their Russian River Valley Syrah for its harmonious balance and distinctive gamey nuances. Wine Enthusiast lauded the 2008 Merlot from Soda Canyon in Napa Valley for its lush texture and flavors of black and red currants.
The Cheers/Beverage Dynamics National Wine Panel awarded five stars to Twomey’s 2000 Merlot, praising its full-bodied cherry and chocolate notes. Concerning Pinot noir, William Gaffney of PinotFile acknowledged Twomey's earnest effort to compete with renowned Westside Road producers. Their 2009 Russian River Valley Pinot noir earned first place at the American Wine Society's National Tasting Project in 2012.
Eric Asimov of The New York Times selected Twomey's 2009 Anderson Valley Pinot noir as a top pick due to its blend of elegance and intensity. The Washington Examiner highlighted Twomey’s Bien Nacido Pinot noir as their inaugural vineyard-designated release, noting its smooth finish and organically farmed fruit origins.
The 2010 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot noir was produced in a limited run of 1100 cases and described as exhibiting a red-ruby hue with complex aromas including rose petals, cranberries, and wild strawberries. The San Francisco Chronicle emphasizes the winery’s refined atmosphere as a competitive advantage compared to more congested tourist venues. In 2015, Wine & Spirits named Twomey among its "Top 100 Wineries," recognizing its significant market presence and industry acclaim.