Bottle Notes

2015 La Rata – Bottle Notes

La Rata was founded by Elizabeth Bourcier in 2012. Bourcier, Cayuse’s assistant Vigneron, was inspired by Clos Erasmus of the Priorat region of Spain and crafted this blend. The wine was originally a blend of Grenache from Armada Vineyard and Cabernet from En Cerise Vineyard. Syrah from La Paciencia Vineyard was added with the 2014 vintage. The unique blend was named…

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Bottle Notes

2018 Marcel Lapierre Juliénas – Bottle Notes

Marcel Lapierre took over the family domaine from his father in 1973. The winery dates back to the early 1900’s. In 1981 Marcel met Jules Chauvet. A winemaker, researcher and chemist, Chavet preached for natural wines and the traditional methods of Beaujolais. Joined by local vignerons Guy Breton, Jean-Paul Thévenet, and Jean Foillard, Marcel led a group that soon went to the…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2019 Bucklin Anne’s Field Blend Upper Fifth Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Bucklin Winery was founded in 2000 by the four Bucklin siblings: Arden, Kate, Ted and Will.  Will Bucklin has been a vintner for over 25 years, working in France, Australia, Sonoma, Mendocino and Oregon. Bucklin produces several Zinfandels and Grenache, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a White Field Blend. Anne Teller, the Bucklin’s mother, has been farming commercially in Sonoma Valley…

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Bottle Notes

2018 Carlisle Alicant Bouschet Pagani Ranch – Bottle Notes

Carlisle Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1998 by Mike and Kendall Officer. Their passion is clear: Small lots of Zinfandel and Syrah from exceptional, historic vineyards. Many of these vineyards are heritage sites planted by Italian immigrants and date back to the late 1800s. Mike recently announced his retirement and subsequently 2024 will be the last vintage of wines produced…

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Bottle Notes, Petite Sirah

New Releases from Florence Vineyard

In 1994, Jack Florence planted Zinfandel in the remote hills west of Dry Creek Valley and Healdsburg (Sonoma County), an area that would eight years later become the new Rockpile AVA, bringing cuttings from the St. Peters’ Church vineyard, which he farmed, and working with Rosenblum Cellars to produce wines that immediately gathered a following. Jack went on to plant several…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

New Release Zins from Ridge Vineyards

Ridge Vineyards was founded in 1959 when three Stanford Research Institute engineers bought an abandoned winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyards had been planted in the late 19th century by a San Francisco physician who produced his first vintage in the original winery, called Monte Bello, in 1892. The first Ridge vintage was in 1962. John Olney is Head…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

New Releases from Florence Vineyard

In 1994, Jack Florence planted Zinfandel in the remote hills west of Dry Creek Valley and Healdsburg (Sonoma County), an area that would eight years later become the new Rockpile AVA, bringing cuttings from the St. Peters’ Church vineyard, which he farmed, and working with Rosenblum Cellars to produce wines that immediately gathered a following. Jack went on to plant several…

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