Nichols Winery is a small winery which was established in 1991 to produce ultra premium wine with limited production of each Varietal around the 1,200 case level. Chardonnay was the initial Varietal to be produced while Pinot Noir followed in the 1993 vintage. In 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Pinot Blanc were also produced. Distribution is based on allocation to restaurants and wine merchants. Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir are released in the second year after crush, to insure they have enough time, to bring out their natural high qualities. This allows time for the wine to age and rest in the bottle and round out its character, after oak barrel aging. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel are released in the third year after harvest to give them time to soften and round out their tannins.