Robert (Bob) Foley began his wine making career in the Napa Valley in 1977, after graduating from UC Davis with degrees in both Viticulture and Enology. He spent his first year working for Heitz Cellars, followed by 15 years as the founding winemaker for Markham Vineyards. In 1992, Bob began another 15 years as the founding winemaker for Pride Mountain Vineyards. During this period, he also created the highly acclaimed Switchback Ridge, Hourglass, Paloma, and School House wines. He now focuses mostly on Robert Foley Vineyards wines, but also creates the offerings from Shelter, Padis Vineyards, Engel Family, Herson Family Vineyards, and JennaMarise in the Napa Valley. In 1998 Robert Foley Vineyards bottled its flagship Claret and has since expanded and diversified its production to offer more of the big reds for which Bob is famous.

The Robert Foley Pinot Noir is from Carneros in the southern Napa Valley. Equal parts of a French Pinot clone and a UC Davis clone contribute a femininity and masculinity – two separate cuvées aged in two separate oak regimes to create a beautiful pair of wines which are blended after aging on the lees for one year. With four years of bottle age, the integration is complete. Classic Pinot notes of bright berry, tea leaf and toasty briar with notes of game and bacon. The mid-palate is delightfully even with perfectly integrated flavors which resolve in a mouthwatering finish where the flavors linger.