On January 31, 2024, we had a chance to interview and catch up with Eric Flanagan and Riley Flanagan. Eric owns Flanagan Winery. Riley is the Assistant Sales Manager for Flanagan Wines and the owner of Riley’s Rows. In our Zoom interview, we covered five Flanagan wines and two Riley’s Rows wines. We interviewed Riley in December of 2022 when we covered two of her Riley's Rows wines and five of the Flanagan Wines. Check out what we learned from Eric and Riley this time.
That said, before we get to the wines, I thought I would share some tidbits and updates with regards to Eric, Riley, Flanagan, and Riley’s Rows.
- What’s new? Eric bought a 42-acre Chardonnay vineyard in Mendocino.
- Let’s talk Russian River grapes:
- Chardonnay: There is good demand.
- However, lots of Chard was pulled out for Pinot Noir.
- Sauvignon Blanc is now in balance.
- 2023 vintage — tonnage back to normal.
- Riley’s Rows — Future focus will be on her 3 x 3 Red Blend, Sauvignon Blanc & maybe Rose.
- Riley is making a wine for Wines of Golf Legends – “Chip Shot” Chardonnay for Nancy Lopez
- We asked Riley’s to comment on the challenges of attracting younger consumers to wine vs. other products. She felt there was definite “competition” from craft cocktails and the cannabis industry. Especially since cannabis use has become increasingly normalized. She is hoping that will fade and that the history of wine and the connection that wine brings will prevail. One of her main goals with her brand is to make great (and varietally correct) wines accessible, affordable, and shareable with people her age.
- Finally, if you want to see another side of Eric. (His creative side) you have to check out “Larry's Dead Uncle.” It’s hilarious and just might be Eric’s modern version of “Spinal Tap.” It could become the wine world's favorite cult movie”¦”¦.
Below is a summary of the new-release Flanagan and Riley’s Rows wines that we covered with Eric and Riley. The links below are to our full reviews. If you are interested in ordering and trying these wines, you will find many of these wines via your favorite fine wine shop, country club, or on top quality wines lists. You can also purchase these wines on the Flanagan and Riley’s Rows websites.
1) Riley’s Rows 2022 Sauvignon Blanc “North Coast” $26 (KWGTP 90.5)
2) Riley’s Rows 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon “North Coast” $38 (KWGTP 91.5)
1) Flanagan 2022 Viognier “Bennett Valley” $65 (KWGTP 93)
2) Flanagan 2022 Chardonnay “Russian River Valley” $54 (KWGTP 93)
3) Flanagan 2022 Pinot Noir “Sonoma Coast” $68 (KWGTP 94)
4) Flanagan 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon “Beauty of Three” (Sonoma County) $54 (KWGTP 93.5)
5) Flanagan 2021 Syrah “Bennett Valley” $82.50 (KWGTP 93)
You can find reviews of past and future Riley’s Rows and Flanagan wines that we cover on the KWG Riley’s Rows winery page and the KWG Flanagan winery page on our website. We hope you enjoy these terrific wines as much as we did. Cheers! — Ken