Holocene was founded by Todd and Carrie Alexander in 2015. Todd, of course, is the winemaker at Force Majeure and prior to that at Bryant Family Vineyards. Holocene makes two Pinots, a Chardonnay, a Syrah and a Pinot Gris. Bright red in color. 13.4% ABV. Pretty nose of red fruits, citrus and forest floor. Medium body with medium acidity. Rich,…
Aston Estate was founded in 2001 by Fred Schrader, founder of Schrader Cellars, Chuck Sweeney, co-founder of Vine Cliff and Thomas Rivers-Brown. Several years ago TRB bought out the other two founders and became the sole owner. Aston Estate is located near the remote township of Annapolis, approximately five miles from the coast. I was on the mailing list early…
Holocene was founded by Todd and Carrie Alexander in 2015. Todd, of course, is the winemaker at Force Majeure and prior to that at Bryant Family Vineyards. Holocene makes two Pinots, a Chardonnay, a Syrah and a Pinot Gris. Ruby red in color. 13.3% ABV. Stunning nose of red fruits, flowers and forest floor. Medium body with exquisite acidity. Light,…
Leonetti Cellar was founded in 1977 by Gary and Nancy Figgins. Leonetti, along with Quilceda Creek and Woodward Canyon put premium Washington Cabernet Sauvignon on the radar of wine consumers across the United States. Leonetti also produces one of the very best domestic Merlots. Leonetti is part of Figgins Family Wine Estates. Chris Figgins is now in charge of the…
Williams Selyem Winery began when Ed Selyem and Burt Williams started making wine as a hobby in 1979 in Forestville, California. Their first commercial release was in 1981, and in less than two decades they created a cult-status winery of international acclaim. Setting a new standard for Pinot Noir winemaking, they put Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley at the forefront…
Cayuse was founded in 1997 by Christophe Baron, a native of France who grew up in family of winemakers in Champagne. Baron studied viticulture in Burgundy and Champagne, and had ambitions to make Pinot Noir in Oregon. However, on a visit to Walla Walla he found property that he believed would be perfect for growing grapes and decided to purchase…
Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. In 1987 Rochioli released their first estate wine, the 1985 Rochioli Pinot Noir. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery has published a detailed map of…
Turley Wine Cellars was founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and specializes in small lots of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from some of California’s most historic and treasured vineyards. Turley now makes right around 50 separate wines from 47 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the late 1800’s. Tegan Passalacqua is the Director of Winemaking at Turley and…
San Felice is a Tuscan wine producer with estates in Chianti Classico and Montalcino. It is most famous for its Sangiovese-based wines under the Campogiovanni and Il Grigio labels. San Felice also makes a range of wines in the Chianti Classico DOCG area. Leonardo Bellacini has been the head winemaker at San Felice for 30 years. Ruby red in color.…
Robert Biale Vineyards in Napa has its roots in the 1930s, when the Biale family started growing Zinfandel grapes and other produce on the outskirts of Napa. The family grapes mostly were sold to local wineries, though the Biales saved some to make wine for the family. The winery was formally founded in 1991. The estate grows Zinfandel and Petite…