Field Trip Vineyards Wayfarer Page
Wayfarer Vineyards
Wayfarer describes its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines as “born of risk, rigor and mastery” from the remote Sonoma Coast.
On what was once a secluded farmstead, Wayfarer’s 30 acres is perched at 1,100 feet, five miles and two ridges from the Pacific Ocean. The vineyard was first planted in 2002 by vintner Jayson Pahlmeyer, who discovered the property in 1998 through former winemaker Helen Turley whose estate was nearby. Both Pahlmeyer and Turley were enthralled with the wines of Burgundy and Turley believed the site could produce wines that rivalled the best of Burgundy.
Wayfarer’s property is considered both “extraordinary and unforgiving,” hidden among winding mountain roads and huge redwoods on the northwestern part of the Sonoma Coast. Wayfarer strives to make intricate wines that respond to the challenges and rewards of its environmental setting.
Wayfarer’s wines, especially their Pinot Noir’s and Chardonnays, consistently receive high praise from notable wine critics and are known for their intense fruit and complex notes. They are often described as “elegant, structured and powerful expressions of their cool climate terroir.”
Proprietor of Wayfarer, Cleo inherited her father’s vision and energy in becoming the new generation of Wayfarer.
Cleo was born in Napa and attended college at University of Virginia, where she received a degree in Art History. From there, Cleo received a Master’s Degree in Connoisseurship of Fine and Decorative Art from Sotheby’s in London.
After working in the international art world, Cleo returned to the family winery in 2008, working closely with her father, to learn every aspect of the winery business. Cleo began as a sales assistant, and worked her way up through sales and marketing, and ultimately was named President in 2017.
Embracing the single lot concept, Cleo’s is quoted as saying “The great wines of the world do not come from a blend of various sites, they hail from individual vineyards, specific vineyard blocks. Wayfarer is no exception, and it has been the opportunity of a lifetime to bring these wines to life.”
