WINEMAKER NOTES
This fruit was hand-harvested and brought in on the cool morning of September
27th. We lightly whole cluster pressed the fruit to a stainless steel tank where
we let the juice chill at 50˚F for two days to settle. On the third day, we cleaned
and racked it to a smaller tank leaving the heavy sediment behind. Three days
later, the fermentation started naturally and we kept the fermentation below
56˚F until half the sugar was consumed. At 10 brix we transferred the young wine
to barrels where it spent the remaining time on lees until just before bottling.
We used half stainless-steel barrels, half once used French oak barrels for the
2020 Chenin Blanc. Once it was transferred to barrel, the wine was placed in our
cold barrel room to keep the fermentation cool and slow, maintaining freshness
and bright aromatics. As the wine slowly fermented for an additional 3 weeks in
barrel, we topped and stirred each barrel weekly. The wine stayed in those same
barrels for 6 months. At that point, we stopped malolactic fermentation in order
to keep more of the fruit’s natural, bright acidity.
— Winemaker Jesse Katz

VINEYARD
A Clarksburg vineyard that benefits from
naturally warm days and brisk, cool nights
made possible by the “Delta Breeze” from the
San Francisco Bay. These temperate gusts
help create a long growing season and
beautifully developed fruit.

TASTING NOTES
What began as a small-batch wine crafted for
the perfect pairing with fresh seafood at one of
winemaker Jesse Katz’s favorite hometown
restaurants has turned into a classic favorite.
Coming from the rich clay loam soils of an old
vine California Chenin Blanc site, planted in
the 1940’s, this vibrant wine showcases notes
of passion fruit, nectarines, and honeysuckle
with brightly lifted acidity giving way to a
round, smooth mouth feel.

James Suckling- 93 Points

Baked apple, pear, dried lemon, cardamom and chamomile on the nose. Some toasty notes, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with bright acidity and a flavorful, layered palate. Good balance of fruit and spice. Dry and creamy textured. Drink now.

Jeb Dunnuck – 90 Points

A beautiful example of the variety, the 2020 Chenin Blanc has plenty of citrus and dried herb aromatics as well as a medium-bodied, fresh, lively style on the palate that offers remarkable purity of fruit.