Patrick Sullivan, a Santa Rosa native and one-man operation behind Grey Stack Cellars in Bennett Valley, has won the Best of the Best award at the 2026 North Coast Wine Challenge — the first time in the competition’s history that a Grenache has claimed the top prize.
Key Takeaways
- Sullivan’s 2023 Grenache from Four Brothers Vineyard beat 1,039 entries from 220 wineries to win Best of Best at the North Coast Wine Challenge.
- It is the first Grenache ever to take the competition’s top honor in its history.
- Grey Stack Cellars is a solo operation: Sullivan grows, makes, and sells roughly 1,000 cases per year by himself.
- The winning wine comes from a 26-year-old vineyard on the northeast slope of Sonoma Mountain, harvested November 3rd after the coldest vintage since 2011.
- Grey Stack’s 2025 Rosé also won Best Rosé at the same competition — the third time it has taken a major award.
A Santa Rosa underdog beats 220 wineries
Sullivan didn’t come from a wine dynasty. He grew up in Santa Rosa, earned a degree in molecular cell biology from UC Berkeley and a master’s in enology from Fresno State, then spent years at prominent North Coast labels including Peter Michael Winery, Rudd Estate, and Lewis Cellars. In 2014, he purchased Grey Stack Cellars and took on the challenge of running every aspect of the operation alone.
Today, Grey Stack produces roughly 1,000 cases a year — a fraction of what most Sonoma County wineries put out. Winning the North Coast Wine Challenge’s top prize against 1,039 other entries from 220 wineries, according to the Press Democrat, puts Sullivan in the same conversation as producers of every size and pedigree.
Why this Grenache stands out
Grenache is not the grape Sonoma Mountain is known for. The region’s reputation rests mainly on Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sullivan’s decision to plant his flag with Grenache — and make it on his own terms — is part of what made this year’s Best of Best selection historically unusual.
The winning wine, the 2023 Grey Stack Four Brothers Vineyard Grenache, draws fruit from an 11-acre plot on Sonoma Mountain’s northeast slope planted 26 years ago. The vintage brought particular challenges: 2023 was the coldest growing year since 2011, and harvest didn’t arrive until November 3rd. Sullivan responded with aggressive fruit dropping to concentrate what remained, then fermented with native yeast, aged the wine 16 months in neutral oak, and bottled it unfined and unfiltered — a minimalist approach that lets the vineyard speak, he told the Press Democrat.
Double honors at the same competition
Sullivan’s Grenache wasn’t the only Grey Stack wine to impress judges. The 2025 Grey Stack Rosé also won Best Rosé at the North Coast Wine Challenge — the third time that wine has claimed a major award, including a top prize in 2021. The double recognition at the same competition in the same year underscores that Grey Stack’s results are no accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy Grey Stack Cellars wine?
Grey Stack Cellars is a small-production Bennett Valley label. Sullivan produces roughly 1,000 cases per year, so availability is limited. The winery’s website and local wine shops in Sonoma County are the best starting points for finding current releases. The label is not widely distributed.
What is the North Coast Wine Challenge?
The North Coast Wine Challenge is an annual competition covering California’s North Coast wine regions, including Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake counties. The Best of Best award goes to the single highest-scoring wine across all categories. The 2026 field included 1,039 entries from 220 wineries, according to the Press Democrat.
Is Grenache common in Sonoma Mountain wines?
Grenache is grown across Sonoma County but is not among Sonoma Mountain’s signature varieties — the appellation is more closely associated with Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sullivan’s success with a Grenache from the Four Brothers Vineyard on Sonoma Mountain is part of what made the judges’ selection historically notable for this competition.
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