Sonoma County Winemaker Achieves Historic Success at North Coast Wine Challenge

When Patrick Sullivan of Grey Stack Cellars discovered that his 2023 Grenache won the top prize at the North Coast Wine Challenge, he felt “over the moon.” However, he humbly acknowledged that the success was not solely his doing. Sullivan, a Santa Rosa native, likened winemaking to cooking, emphasizing that it requires a blend of attentiveness and intuition—“the wine tells you what it wants.”

This historic achievement marks the first time a Grenache has claimed the Best of the Best award at the competition, beating out 1,039 wines. The event, judged by 30 expert judges, took place earlier this month at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, where they tasted over 1,000 entries from 220 wineries.

Surprisingly, this is not Grey Stack Cellars’ first run-in with accolades; their 2025 Rosé of Pinot Noir and Grenache also won Best Rosé, a title it had previously secured in 2021. Sullivan, who did not initially embrace wine competitions or critic reviews, decided to enter the North Coast Wine Challenge to demonstrate his best efforts. Winning Best Rosé changed his perspective.

Growing up in Santa Rosa’s Bennett Valley, Sullivan transitioned from a career in biotech to winemaking, inspired by his family’s ranch, where his parents planted a vineyard in the late 1980s. He pursued a master’s degree in enology and gained experience with prominent Napa Valley wineries before taking the reins at Grey Stack Cellars in 2014, crafting it into a small-scale venture.

Four Brothers Vineyard, located on the northeast slope of Sonoma Mountain, was established 26 years ago, and Sullivan advocated for planting Grenache there despite concerns about its ripening capabilities due to the vineyard’s cooler climate. The grapes for the award-winning wine were harvested on November 3, the latest date in the vineyard’s history. Sullivan employed native fermentation and aged the wine for 16 months in neutral oak, allowing its character to shine without any additives.

The resulting Grenache is celebrated for its vibrancy, balance, and complexity. Nicola Pellacani, a first-time judge at the competition, remarked on its unique savoriness that complemented its typical fruit characters. Chief judge Daryl Groom noted the significance of a Grenache winning this prestigious title, showcasing a shift among consumer preferences toward lighter red wines.

Sullivan, widely regarded as a perfectionist, currently runs Grey Stack Cellars as a solo operation without immediate plans for expansion, opting instead for tastings by appointment at the Bennett Valley ranch. His wines can be found at select local restaurants and through the cellar’s website.

As a final celebration of this year’s wins, attendees are encouraged to join the North Coast Wine & Food Festival on June 13 at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa for tastings of the award-winning wines. For more details and tickets, visit northcoastwineandfood.com.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!