JAMES C. PETERSON, Trial Attorney and Partner at Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler by day and self-proclaimed Francophile by night, first experienced the infinite pleasures of the vine as a law student in the early 70's. Though Jim and his classmates didn't have much money, they convinced local wine distributors and wineries to donate wines for tastings.  And so began a life and passion for fine wines. Jim made his first trip to Napa in 1976. Struck by the beauty, peace and sense of comfort the Napa Valley had to offer, Jim began returning to Napa every year since. Although Jim resides in West Virginia, he makes frequent trips to Napa to taste the evolution of his wine.  Soon, he will be following his dream of relocating to the Napa Valley and becoming more involved on a daily basis with Falcor Wine Cellars.

C. MICHAEL BEE (a.k.a., Mike Bee), Wine Connoisseur & Attorney-at-Law, joined forces with Jim Peterson at Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler in 1990. Here, the two partners often shared a bottle of wine at the end of the day, learning more about the styles of wine that they favored while refining their palates. In 1994, during a law convention in San Francisco, Mike, Jim, and their colleagues spent a day touring and tasting in the Napa Valley. The turning point of the day came when Mike and Jim turned to one another and said, "Why can't WE do this?"

Since then, Mike and Jim have become legendary for their dinners in Napa, inviting locals, winemakers and even people they have just met in tasting rooms to join them in enjoying and discussing wine.  It was at one of these dinners that Mike and Jim met Andy Gridley, who took the two men under his wing, helped them articulate their favored style of wine and made introductions around the Valley which ultimately led them to noted winemaker Ray Coursen of Elyse Winery.  Thus, in 1995, Falcor Wine Cellars was born!

RAY COURSEN began his career in the wine industry by working the harvest of 1983 at Mt. Eden Vineyards in Saratoga, CA. In 1984, he began working for Tonella Vineyard Management in Rutherford, where he learned the art of pruning, trellising and training the grapevines and how vital vineyard management is to the winemaking process.

Ray then went on to Whitehall Lane, selling wine in the tasting room. The winemaker, Art Finklestein, noticed Ray's potential and immediately had Ray working in the cellar where, shortly thereafter, Ray was promoted to winemaker. Studying under Art, Ray learned the secret to great wines is in the blend. In 1987, Ray and his wife, Nancy, created Elyse Winery, named after their daughter, with 200 cases of Zinfandel. They have since grown this label to focus on Zinfandel, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Ray and Nancy have also added the Jacob Franklin label, which is dedicated to their son. This label focuses primarily on Petite Sirah and an Estate Cabernet.

Ray's career in the wine industry spans over 20 years. During this time he has learned that making great wine begins with outstanding fruit. This is achieved by selecting the best vineyard locations, working in the vineyard, pruning and canopy control to maximize even ripeness. It is also crucial to pick at the right time - when there is a harmonious balance between sugars, acid and ripeness. Ray has passed his outstanding knowledge onto our wines. Through Ray we have formed and maintained great relationships with all of our growers to provide us with the best fruit available. Ray then takes this fruit and creates wines that reflect the nuances of each unique vineyard location.