Healdsburg, CA, November 18, 2024 – Gary Farrell Winery, the storied estate nestled in the hills of the Russian River Valley, is pleased to announce that Brent McKoy is succeeding Theresa Heredia as head winemaker. McKoy is celebrating his 20th harvest with Gary Farrell Winery this fall, having joined the company in 2005 working directly with founder Gary Farrell.
As the custodian of Gary Farrell’s iconic legacy, McKoy oversees every aspect of the winemaking process. Recognized for his hands-on approach in the cellar, McKoy crafts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines with his team through careful planning and meticulous trials and tasting. Known for harvesting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at lower Brix to preserve refreshing fruit flavors that are balanced with vibrant acidity, the Gary Farrell Winery winemaking style focuses on embracing the unique nature of each of the vineyards from which exceptional quality grapes are sourced. McKoy sets out to respect the land and create wines that capture the essence of Sonoma County – elegant, balanced, and expressive of their terroir.
McKoy reflects, “Gary Farrell is a part of Russian River Valley’s winemaking history and it’s incredible to be a part of continuing its heritage. I have been involved in the day-to-day winemaking operations for 20 years and I’ve never lacked inspiration for a single day. The people I’ve had the opportunity to work with have been brilliant and I’m proud to be a part of the evolution of this iconic brand. As I look toward the future, I am eager to continue working with our stellar team to craft wines of elegance that showcase the exceptional fruit of our coveted vineyards.”
McKoy commented about the 2024 vintage, his 20th vintage with Gary Farrell Winery, “The 2024 vintage has been truly outstanding from start to finish. We are delighted by the wines fermenting in the cellar and grateful to our remarkable grower partners for delivering unsurpassed grape quality year after year. Our winemaking team is truly outstanding, their dedication and expertise have kept operations running smoothly during a demanding and exciting time of year.”
Born and raised in a coastal community in North Carolina, McKoy studied English literature at East Carolina University. His unique career path to winemaking includes formative experiences in the arts and agriculture, including playing percussion in a jazz band, working as an art installer and later as an arborist. He also traveled the world for several years and was first exposed to wine as an important cultural element in Florence, Italy through a relative who was a professional opera singer there. McKoy’s passion for wine further blossomed while working with arborists in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he spent many evenings around the campfire, enjoying wine with dinner as conversations often focused on the land and agriculture. Shortly after, McKoy made the pivotal decision to move to the Napa Valley where he worked his first harvest as an intern at Robert Mondavi Winery; he was invited to stay on and learned everything about winemaking from the ground up. After his first vintage he knew that winemaking was what he wanted to do long term. In 2005 McKoy joined Gary Farrell Winery where he worked directly under founder Gary Farrell and then rose through the ranks over 10 years under Theresa Heredia and earned the title of Winemaker in 2023.
McKoy lives with his wife and two daughters in Windsor, California. In his spare time, he enjoys camping, the outdoors, the ocean, and drumming on his pickup’s dashboard.
About Gary Farrell Winery:
Gary Farrell Winery, a pioneer of the Russian River Valley, has championed the unique wine region for over 40 years with its acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery draws from some of Sonoma County’s most renowned vineyards, including Rochioli, Bacigalupi, Gap’s Crown, and Durell to produce small-lot, terroir-driven wines with expressive varietal character. Gary Farrell wines capture the essence of each vineyard’s distinctive qualities with a hallmark profile of fresh fruit and savory notes balanced by vibrant acidity. With panoramic views from its scenic, hilltop estate, Gary Farrell Winery offers an immersive tasting experience, inviting guests to bask in the beauty of the Russian River Valley and enjoy a unique slice of paradise in every glass of Gary Farrell wine.
