Our Story
About Gray Randolph
Gray Randolph has studied and collected wine since he was a drummer in the Rock Band “Locals Only” in the 1980’s. Locals toured with such bands as the Ramones, Del Fuegos and the Producers. He then began a 30 year career in Commercial Real Estate where he was a partner, and Vice Chairman of a large regional CRE firm that spanned 46 states. Gray has closed transactions worldwide including most of the US, Canada, Australia and Europe.
After many years of collecting, he began the studies necessary to take the Level 1 Sommelier Exam in 2008 through the The Court of Master Sommeliers, he passed the Level 1 Exam in 2008. He then studied for an additional 12 months and passed the Level 2 Sommelier Exam in 2009 to become a Certified Sommelier. That exam consists of three parts during an 8 hour period: Wine Theory, a Service Exam and Blind Tasting.
In 2014, Gray continued his quest for knowledge by beginning study to prepare for another difficult challenge: to become a Certified French Wine Scholar. That exam enjoys roughly a 50% pass rate, but Gray passed that examination on his first attempt in 2015 after 12 months of additional study. This qualification entails passing an examination on each of the 13 Wine Regions of France and a final cumulative examination on all 13 Regions.
In 2015, Gray was asked to sit on the Board of Directors of the Guild of Sommeliers based in Petaluma, California. Today he is Chairman of GuildSomm, one of the largest Wine Media/Trade Organizations of Sommeliers in the World. GuildSomm has over 8000 members in many countries and growing. Gray was recently also the Vice President of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic/Foundation, a charity organization that raises and gives away over $1,000,000.00 Dollars annually at their wine auction in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Gray is also a Past President of Make A Wish Foundation VA and Big Brothers Big Sisters VA.
After tasting over 1000 wines a year for many years the winery was born officially in 2017. Offering only one wine, a Cabernet Franc, we were nervous. Today we offer 2 cabernets and a Chardonnay all from Napa and Sonoma.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is simple. Surrounded by wines that charge $350 to $500 a bottle, we want to make outstanding wines that are within the grasp to drink on a more regular basis. We create wines of intensity and balance, by using the best grapes, the best equipment, and the best winemaking team in the Valley. Our wines give a nod to the wonderful sunshine California offers, while striving for a European balance that avoids high alcohol over extracted styles. Only five years old, we have experienced meteoric growth. Now distributed in five states, we will now take a breath and hold our expansion to allow our supply to catch up. We will maintain our quality with a slow growth approach moving forward. No sacrifice of quality is acceptable.
Our Vineyards
At Gray Randolph Wines our vineyards are in strategic sites. We want it all, the right clone, aspect, wind and soil. The combination of exceptional terroir and meticulous care for our vines yields wines that tell a wonderful story no matter whether you are a Somm or are new to the world of wine.
“We know the wines will be great before we ever pick the first grape.”
- Gray Randolph