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Shopping for someone else but not sure what to give them? Give them the gift of choice with a Qorkz gift card.

Gift cards are delivered by email and contain instructions to redeem them at checkout. Our gift cards have no additional processing fees.

Shopping for someone else but not sure which wine they would like to give them? Give them the gift of choice with a Qorkz gift card.

Gift cards are delivered by email and contain instructions to redeem them at checkout. Our gift cards have no additional processing fees.

2009 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc--Gold--2013 SF Chronicle Wine Competition

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Tasting Notes

"Wonderful floral aromas give way to flavors of pineapple, apricots, and citrus.  Its clean, crisp finish and just the right amount of sweetness make this wine the perfect accompaniment to both sweet and savory food pairings."  Baci Cafe & Wine Bar (2012).

Winemaker Notes

Late harvest wines have always captivated our imagination. When we purchased our property in Knights Valley in 1987, the existing Sauvignon blanc vineyard surprised us with an area that provided the necessary conditions for botrytis cinerea each harvest. This “noble rot” has allowed us to coax an amazingly complex wine from our tiny hillside vineyard. Once only produced for family and close friends, we can now share the fruit of our passion with you.

Appellation: Knights Valley
Brix At Harvest: 31.3 degrees
Residual Sugar: 6.88 gm/100 ml.
Alcohol: 14.8%
Aging: Aged in stainless steel barrels for 18 months.

91 - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 

Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle

2010 Coruce Syrah: This wine is comprised of 90% Syrah, 4% Petite Sirah, 3% Zinfandel and 3% Viognier. The grapes were hand harvested and table sorted and co-fermented for 14 days and pressed off into 3 & 4 year old French Oak barrels.

This wine has aromas and flavors of dark cherries, plum & lavender and blueberries with a lush jammy finish.

Open and decant for 30 minutes prior to serving.

2010 Cabernet Sauvignon--Gold--2015 Sunset International Wine Competition

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Tasting Notes

Oakville is one of the warmest regions in the Napa Valley and ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. 2010 was an excellent vintage because of the ideal weather conditions: light spring rains followed by warm summer days and no abrupt climate changes throughout the season.  As a result, the grapes achieved a perfect even ripening and were aromatic and very well balanced, which allowed us to be highly selective at harvest.

Our 2010 Estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon is imbued with an alluring perfume of black currant, and Bing cherry with hints of mocha followed by the luscious flavors of blackberries and spice that are accentuated by sweet vanilla and violets.  The palate is silky smooth with abundant blackberry and sweet plum flavors followed by mouth-watering tannins for a long and lingering finish.

Our 2010 vintage has been aged in a combination of new and aged French Oak barrels for two years and then bottled and stored in a temperature-controlled wine cellar for another two years. As a family, we are committed to creating a balanced Cabernet meant to compliment food and warm the soul without ever overwhelming the senses. 

The 2011 Genetic Pinot Noir is a special Oregon Pinot Noir from Sabina Vineyards. This wine has a nose that is reminiscent of freshly crushed cranberries, cherries and fresh herbs. Brilliant acidity cleanses the palate following the richest of gravies while marrying the flavors picked up on the nose to create the ultimate experience producing a spectacular pinot noir for Sabina Vineyards.

The grapes for this wine come from the Roserock Vineyard which is perched on a ridge top towards the southern end of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, which is located within the Willamette Valley, home to many of Oregon’s finest Pinot Noir vineyards. In 2011, a warm and dry harvest period gave way to cooler than expected conditions in late September and early October. Fortunately, the fruit was at or near its ripening plateau. A final heat spike at harvest dehydrated many clusters, reducing yields and concentrating flavors.

The Genetic wines are an homage to the LGBTQ community and perfect for celebrating Pride Month!  We are offering these wines in pairs for $100.

Humanitas Willy's Vineyard Zinfandel from Chiles Valley has a nose on it that  is a cauldron of aromas. Try mixing up a cinnamon apple with toasted coconut, raspberry compote and a little cola and that might come close. And as the wine sits in the glass, it continues to morph into hints of orange zest, leather, white pepper... all really delightful scents. On the palate, the wine is intense It's like essence of Zinfandel - thick, rich, full-bodied. This is BBQ ribs wine or a good hearty tri-tip marinated and cooked over mesquite. Grab some of your more outgoing friends, grill up the ribs, blare some good old Southern Rock and settle in for the ride!

Winemaker’s Comments

The ‘Good Earth’ tier celebrates specific vineyards showcasing a distinct style of a particular varietal unique to that vineyard site. Willy’s Vineyard in the Chiles Valley of Napa is quintessentially ‘unique’ with ancient ‘old soldier’ head pruned vines really on their last legs, but so expressive and wise in their old age.

Yields are anemic, the vines look like they need canes just to stand up, and several of the vines have simply given up the ghost. But those that remain have fruit is so intense & so in concert with their site that there is no other Zinfandel vineyard quite like it. This is more like Zinfandel extract than ‘regular’ Zin. It is a dazzling expression of the grape Napa used to be known for – the noble Zinfandel!

Wine Description

Willy’s Zinfandel has a nose on it that is a cauldron of smells. Try mixing up a cinnamon apple with toasted coconut, raspberry compote and a little cola and that might come close. And as the wine sits in the glass, it continues to morph into more & more hints of things like orange zest, leather, white pepper…all really delightful scents.

On the palate, the wine is…intense! It is like essence of Zinfandel – thick, rich, full-bodied…it is really a striking wine one can’t help but remember. Spices & raspberries; tobacco & leather; earth & toast…all things we love about this varietal. This is BBQ ribs wine…or a good hearty tri-tip marinated & cooked over mesquite. Nothing shy about this wine – grab some of your more outgoing friends, grill up the ribs, blare some good old Southern Rock (how ‘bout the Allman Bros or some vintage Marshall Tucker?) and settle in for the ride. Willy will deliver a wine experience you will cherish!

Alcohol: 14.9%
Bottling Date: August 21, 2013
Appellation: Napa ‘Willy’s Vineyard’ Designation Chiles Valley
Blend: 100% Napa Zinfandel
Wood: 10 months American & French Oak

Limited Production - 306 Cases 

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Tasting Notes

Because this wine is made and aged in stainless tanks, the fruit is crisp and clean: initially notes of Green Apple and Pear are predominant when served chilled properly, and give way to Melon notes with a hint of Citrus as the wine warms in the glass. The mouthfeel is especially creamy due to the fact that it has undergone 100% malolactic fermentation, converting harsh malic acids to softer, milky ones.

Terroir

Grapes from this wine come from two Sonoma vineyards: one from southern Sonoma County in Carneros and the other from the Russian River area. Carneros is the cooler climate, with wind and fog prevalent conditions, meaning longer growing time, higher acidity and leaner fruit, while Russian River fruit tends to be riper and fatter in style. By blending fruit from the two distinctive areas, this wine results in high acidity and clean, crisp fruit leaning toward green apple and citrus, but with a nice, plump mid-palate of pear and melon.

Varietal:                      100% Chardonnay
Region:                       Sonoma County, California
Alcohol:                      14.0%

Limited Production - 222 Cases 

2011 Cabernet Sauvignon--Bronze--2015 Sunset International Wine Competition

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Tasting Notes

"Aromas of black cherry, pepper, cola, and toasty oak.  Rich and silky texture with firm but yielding tannins.  The blackberry and black cherry fruit is complemented by the spice, pepper, and oak notes.  Drinking nicely now, but will age well for 10 years or more."  Leigh Meyering, winemaker (January, 2014).

Varietal: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon / 5% Merlot
Appellation: Knights Valley
Harvest Date: October 25, 2011
Alcohol: 13.9%
Aging: Aged in fine French oak barrels for 18 months.
Released: December 1, 2013

2011 Merlot--Silver--2014 SF Chronicle Wine Competition

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Tasting Notes

"Smooth and elegant with red fruit notes of dried cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry jam.  Framing the mouthwatering fruit are toasty oak notes of chocolate and caramel.  This compelling and nuanced wine has great balance now and is sure to please for years to come."  Leigh Meyering, winemaker (January, 2014)

Varietal: 100% Merlot 
Appellation: Knights Valley
Harvest Date: October 13, 2011
Alcohol: 14.1%
Aging: Aged in the finest French oak barrels for 18 months.
Released: September 1, 201

What began with a wet winter and spring, continued with rainfall into mid-June with few high heat events occurring at any point during the growing season. The cool weather delayed bloom and the cloud cover and cool temperatures delayed vine development by several weeks at the onset of the growing season. This set the stage for a long and cooler-than-average growing season with a later-than-average harvest start date.

Waiting patiently to pick until the fruit was mature paid off. Quality was very good with excellent structure and length on the palate. While quantity was somewhat lower than usual, the fruit harvested in 2011 made for well-balanced wines with good intensity, structure and texture with a brightness of flavor.

Winemaker Tasting Notes

The 2011 Sabina Vineyards Oregon Pinot Noir opens with hints of raspberry and rose petal aromas mixed with flavors of cranberry, leather and green tea in the mouth. The wine is smooth and concentrated on the palate. Spice and sweet oak round out the rich, velvety texture producing a spectacular pinot noir for Sabina Vineyards.

Winemaker Notes

The grapes were transported from Oregon to Napa where they were then fermented in 4 separate French oak open top tanks. Fermentation lasted 15 days. The 4 lots were blended and bottled after 18 months in barrel.

Vineyard Notes

Roserock is perched on a ridge top towards the southern end of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, which is located within the Willamette Valley, home to many of Oregon’s finest Pinot Noir vineyards. In 2011, a warm and dry harvets period gave way to cooler than expected conditions in late September and early October. Fortunately, the fruit was at or near its ripening plateau. A final heat spike at harvest dehydrated many clusters, reducing yields and concentrating flavors.

Signum: Latin for something that marks or identifies. We're more than comfortable making the 2012 Signum our identifying wine with its succulent, harmonious cacophony of blackberry, ripe wild strawberry, candied current and tobacco leaf. This is the elixir that seems to call out the stars on a cloudy night, and hasten our conversations to new existential depths. It's unfiltered, smooth, smudged with graphite, ready to chill out in your cellar for the next decade or emerge tonight paired with Coltrane's A Love Supreme, and maybe your love supreme?

Composition: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Calistoga, Napa Carneros, Rutherford, Napa Valley
Aging: 22 months in 70% new French oak, unfiltered
Harvest Date: October 18 & 26, 2012

Bronze Medal - San Francisco Chronicle

2012 Coruce Chardonnay: This wine from the Antelope Valley is comprised of 95% Chardonnay and 5% Viognier. Whole cluster pressed and settled for 3 days and then racked off its solids. Cold fermented for 35 days in stainless steel tanks and pressed off its lees and aged for 9 months in 3 year old French Oak barrels.

This wine has a combination of flavors and aromas of hazelnut, pear and citrus ending with a lingering toasty green apple finish. Serve chilled.

Bronze Medal - San Francisco Chronicle

2012 Coruce Semillon: This Antelope Valley wine is comprised of 90% Semillon and 5% Chardonnay and 5% Viognier. Whole cluster pressed and settled for 3 days and then racked off its solids. Cold fermented for 30 days in stainless steel tanks and then racked off its lees. The wine was then aged for 9 months in 4 year old French oak barrels.

This wine has a combination of aromas and flavors of apple, pear and fig with a touch of saffron spice and grass. Slightly round in style yet finishes with hints of tart lemongrass. Serve cold.

Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle

2012 Coruce Syrah Antelope Valley

This wine is comprised of 93% Syrah and 4% Petite Sirah and 3% Viognier.  The fruit was hand harvested and table sorted and then cold soaked on the skins for 48 hours and then co-fermented for 16 days and pressed off the skins  and racked off the solids into 3 and 4 year old French oak barrels and aged for 18 months.  Left on the lees and stirred monthly.

This wine has flavors and aromas of dark cherries, plum, lavender, blueberries followed by a toasty bacon finish.  Medium tannins 

86 - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle

2012 Coruce Viognier: This Central Coast wine is 100% Viognier from a world famous vineyard near Santa Maria California. This wine was destemmed and cold soaked for 24 hours then pressed off the skins and settled for 3 days and racked off its solids. It was then cold fermented for 21 days in stainless steel and aged for 10 months in neutral French Oak barrels.

This wine has aromas and flavors of Honeysuckle, citrus blossoms, white melon, apricot, peach and banana. Lush and viscous with a vibrant finish. Serve chilled.

91 - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Silver Medal - San Francisco Chronicle

2012 Coruce Zinfandel Antelope Valley

This wine is comprised of 90% Zinfandel, 5% Syrah and 5% Petite Sirah.  The fruit was all hand harvested and table sorted followed by a 48 hour cold soak on the skins.  The fruit was fermented for 18 days and then pressed off the skins and racked off the solids into 3 and 4 year old American oak barrels and aged for 18 months.

This wine has flavors and aromas of wild blackberry and brambly raspberry fruits, cherry, cola and leather followed with a toasty finish.  Medium tannins

Our 'Rio Vista Vineyard' Pinot Noir from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, begins on the nose with a mouth watering sensation of strawberry/rhubarb pie and delicious spices baked into the mix. Right behind the pie are some earthy elements and touches of pepper, tobacco, smoked meats and a hint of orange peel. This is duck wine - or perhaps a comfort food roast beef or fresh Alaskan salmon grilled over a wood plank with light herbs. It evolves so much in the glass, maybe a bite of all three! It is at once sultry and at the same time playful, so perhaps pair this with some Madeleine Peyroux and a few of your more quixotic friends!

Winemaker’s Comments

The ‘Good Earth’ tier celebrates specific vineyards showcasing a distinct style of a particular varietal unique to that vineyard site. In Santa Barbara County, there is a special piece of land nestled in a canyon amongst the Santa Rita Hills that is chalk full of…well…chalk (!). It gently ambles to the ocean…it is foggy, cool, sometimes brooding…and perfect for Pinot Noir.

The Rio Vista Vineyard is a star within the highly acclaimed Santa Rita Hills appellation. Betweenthe hillside plantings on chalky soils and the long, cool growing season, the wines off this vineyard are noted for their depth of color and complexity of fruit. Balance is a word that immediately comes to mind – worthy of drinking tonight or aging for decades.

Wine Description

Our Humanitas 2012 ‘Rio Vista Vineyard’ Pinot Noir begins on the nose with a mouth watering sensation of strawberry/rhubarb pie and delicious spices baked into the mix. Right behind the pie are some earthy elements and touches of pepper, tobacco, smoked meats and a hint of orange peel.

In the mouth, the fruit is very bright up front and the texture is thick in the middle and finish. A little flint & stone pops in followed by cigar wrapper, leather & black pepper. This is a complex wine, yet very easy to drink. It changes a lot in the glass…over and over again. This is duck wine – or perhaps a comfort food roast beef or fresh Alaskan salmon grilled over a wood plank with light herbs. It evolves so much in the glass, maybe a bite of all three! It is at once sultry and at the same time playful so perhaps pair this with some Madeleine Peyroux and a few of your more quixotic friends!

Alcohol: 14.8%
Bottling Date: August 26, 2013
Appellation: Santa Rita Hills – ‘Rio Vista Vineyard’ Designation
Blend: 100% Rio Vista Vineyards Pinot Noir
Clones: 115, 667, 777 & Wadenswill
Wood: 10 months French Oak

Limited Production - 203 Cases 

Oft overlooked, occasionally maligned, but ever adored around here, the Cabernet Franc variety is shown off in its full glory when grown in Willy's Vineyard. There's something seductive about this wine, from its aromas of cinnamon, clove and worn leather to its soft, full mouthfeel and imposing structure. We love the way dusty tannins can melt into tantalizing flavors of cherry cola wiping our sorrows away. Charles Mingus is playing in the background, the aromas of a beautiful meal are wafting in from the kitchen, I'm on my second glass, and I'm pretty sure life doesn't get much better than this.

Composition: 92% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot
Appellation: 92% Chiles Valley, 8% Rutherford
Aging: 20 months in 30% new French oak
Alcohol: 14.1% abv
Harvest Date: October 26, 2012

Strawberry, rhubarb, Willie Nelson and Four Popes Cabernet Sauvignon - these are the essential flavors around here lately. Is it the aromas of dark chocolate and worn leather that make us so nostalgic? Perhaps the round, richness of the body, the flavors of dark cherry, tobacco and cassis make us feel the music a bit more deeply? Whatever it may be we hope you'll enjoy this structured beauty with grilled or braised meats, a rustic ratatouille, or whatever feeds your particular soul. Feel free to age for five to seven years, or enjoy right away with a firm decant, and a free spirit.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Pope Valley
Aging: 20 months in 30% new French oak
Alcohol: 14.9% abv
Harvest Date: October 12, 2012

Any who dare discount the noble Merlot, need not drink here! We love Merlot for its finesse, its mystery, its grace and power. We love the Truchard vineyard where these grapes are grown. This sweet spot, resting on a south facing hillside hidden far away from the road and passers-by provides just the sort of cool evenings and long, warm days that Merlot favors. Soft, sweet, juicy aromas of blueberry, pepper and fig bound from the glass making way for soft black cherry, tobacco leaf and cola on the palate. The ecstasy of its long, complicated finish calls for a dreamy, dramatic aria - Caro Mio Ben perhaps? - and if you can play it on vinyl, even better.

Composition: 99% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Appellation: Napa Carneros
Aging: 20 months in French and American oak
Alcohol: 14.1% abv
Harvest Date: October 18, 2012

Tasting Notes 

A new release of the Petite Sirah varietal - this one from Northern Lake County. Deep purple in color with big nose of lavender, bacon and chocolate, this blockbuster offers a mouthful of boysenberries, blueberries and blackberries.  Stands up well to pork, game or beef, but soft enough to pair with chocolate or mixed berries.  This is a beautiful wine with lamb, wild boar, venison or virtually any savory game, Moroccan lamb tagine, chicken mole', strong cheese like stilton or camembert and even dark chocolates. 

Varietal: 100% Petite Sirah
Vineyard: Amber View Vineyard, Lake County, CA 
Alcohol: 14.5%

Limited Production 261 Cases Produced 

Double Gold/Best of Class - Riverside International Wine Competition 2014

$20 flat fee shipping on purchases of 1-12 bottles

Tasting Notes 

Exhibiting exceptional clarity and brilliance in the glass, this wine is effusive with a seductive nose of strawberries and cinnamon followed by layers of strawberries, raspberries with peppery notes leading to a long finish.

Terroir 

Firebrick Hill Vineyard sits 1000 - 1200’ above sea level in northeastern Mendocino County just north of Lake Mendocino, on the Ricetti bench, an alluvial terrace. Vineyards in the Redwood Valley AVA sit about 200 feet higher in elevation than those along the Russian River, further downstream in Ukiah and Hopland . The climate of this upland valley is slightly cooler than vineyards to the south, furthered by a gap in the coastal ridge which allows cool Pacific air currents to penetrate. These conditions result in a longer growing season and a gradual ripening of fruit that makes Redwood Valley wines refined, with more acidity and deeper color. The notable red soil of the area also provides depth of color and flavor to the wines. The result is layered, nuanced wines with great structure and bright fruit, like the peppery, spicy Zinfandels for which the Redwood Valley is known.

Varietal:                      100% Zinfandel
Region:                       Redwood Valley AVA, Mendocino County, California
Alcohol:                      14.9%

Limited Production - 260 Cases 

Silver medal – San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition 2015

$20 flat fee shipping on purchases of 1-12 bottles

Tasting Notes

This traditional Bordeaux style red blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc is still a young, but already complex wine: raspberry, cranberry, a little blackberry, minerals, pencil shavings, vanilla, coffee and toffee with great structure, full bodied, very long finish. But like most Bordeaux style wines, waken it gently from its sleep and decant a little while before serving.

Terroir

These classic Bordeaux grapes come from the Wild Diamond Vineyard in southern Lake County and have been co-fermented in making this premium wine. The Wild Diamond Vineyard is in southern Lake County (just north of Napa Valley) at an elevation of 2,200 ft., meaning warmer, longer growing days with cool Pacific breezes at night and an overall shorter growing season resulting in fully ripe fruit. The red, volcanic soil of this vineyard contributes both to the depth of color and rich flavor profile of grapes from the Wild Diamond Vineyard.

Blend:                         45% Cabernet, 35% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Region:                       Wild Diamond Vineyard, Lake County, California
Alcohol:                      14.5%

Limited Production - 261 Cases 

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Tasting Notes

"Aromas of black cherry, pepper, cola, and toasty oak.  Rich and silky texture with firm but yielding tannins.  The blackberry and black cherry fruit is complemented by the spice, pepper, and oak notes.  Drinking nicely now, but will age well for 10 years or more."  Leigh Meyering, winemaker (January, 2014).

Varietal: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon / 5% Merlot
Appellation: Knights Valley
Harvest Date: 
Alcohol: 13.9%
Aging: Aged in fine French oak barrels for 18 months.
Released: 

2011 Merlot--Silver--2014 SF Chronicle Wine Competition

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Tasting Notes

"Smooth and elegant with red fruit notes of dried cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry jam.  Framing the mouthwatering fruit are toasty oak notes of chocolate and caramel.  This compelling and nuanced wine has great balance now and is sure to please for years to come."  Leigh Meyering, winemaker (January, 2014)

Varietal: 100% Merlot 
Appellation: Knights Valley
Harvest Date: October 13, 2011
Alcohol: 14.1%
Aging: Aged in the finest French oak barrels for 18 months.
Released: September 1, 201

92 Points - Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast Magazine

90 Points - Dr. Rusty Gaffney, "The Prince of Pinot"

10% Discount On Purchase Of A Case

Tasting Notes 

Solomon Hills Vineyard is located about seven miles from the ocean just outside the city of Orcutt in Santa Barbara County. The maritime influence combined with ocean floor sandy loam soil results in wines with bright fruit, good balance, crisp acidity and what is known as "Santa Maria spice". The lively nose jumps out of the glass, revealing a tightly-knit profile of fresh cherries, strawberries, hazelnuts, spice cake, violet and rose petal. The smooth, silky, light-bodied mouthfeel delivers notes of firm red strawberry, raspberry and cherry mixed with dashes of currant, caramelized orange peel, saddle leather, vanilla and gingerbread cookies. Delicate tannins transition to a sparkle of acidity on the finish. Beware...this wine goes down a little too easy.

Limited Production 6 Barrels Produced 

92 Points, "Cellar Selection"- Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast Magazine

91 Points - Dr. Rusty Gaffney, "The Prince of Pinot"

10% Discount On Purchase Of A Case 

Tasting Notes 

Sourced from the same incredible vineyard as my previous wines, the 2012 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir is all Sta. Rita Hills. The nose features a rich combination of black cherries, fresh raspberries, wet forest, anisette and rose garden. The medium-bodied mouthfeel is firm, rich and round, reminding me of the texture of liquidized sour hard candy. On the palette, rich tones of sour dark cherries, red berries and plum mix with flourishes of sweet lemon rind, rhubarb pie, eastern spices and jasmine tea. The generous acid at the end carries a finish that goes on and on. This is a powerful wine that will improve with cellar age. If you just can't wait, decanting is recommended.

Limited Production 5 Barrels Produced

20% Discount On The Bottle Price With The Purchase Of A Case 

Winemaker Notes 

The Sonoma Coast, a world-renowned growing region southwest of the Russian River and just six miles from the Pacific Ocean is known worldwide for its cool-climate Pinot Noir and microclimates that contribute to slow grape maturation and optimum ripeness.  Small lots of fruit were sourced from eight exceptional Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley vineyards exclusively for Calstar Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.   The sites span the depth and width of the appellation – from the cool Green Valley knoll of Halleck to the Petaluma Gap site of Sangiacomo – bringing great complexity and cellaring potential to this bottling. 

Deeply scarlet ruby in color, the 2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir showcases the best of a spectacular vintage.  On the nose, quintessential aromas of dried cherry, raspberries and black tea are highlighted by spiced orange, cedar and red Santa Rosa plum.   The ripeness of the vintage is balanced by bright stone fruit acidity and refreshing minerality – an undertone of toasty oak and sweet spice brings the palate into focus.  Fine grained, yet coating, tannins and strawberry spice finish make this Pinot Noir an easy match for almost any food pairing.

Technical Data

Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyards: 46.2% Black Knight; 41.0% De Voto; 6.6% Vining; 4.3% Indinoli; 1.2% The Farm; 0.6% Halleck; 0.06% Dano; 0.04% Sangiacomo.
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Alcohol: 14.3%
pH: 3.52
TA: 5.3 g/L 

Limited Production 170 Cases 

Gold Medal - 2015 Sonoma County Harvest Fair

20% Off The Bottle Price With The Purchase Of A Case 

Winemaker Notes 

Bright ruby violet, the wine leads with juicy fruit on the nose: cranberry, raspberry and pomegranate.  Notes of dark, unsweetened chocolate, bay leaf and sweet baking spices round out the profile.  In the mouth, the light body is carried by ripe, big red fruit notes that follow the aromas.  There is an impression of sweetness from the cola and vanilla notes but the wine is totally dry.  A long, juicy finish of strawberry, coffee and cherry rounds out the wine and brings the fruit into balance.

Technical Data

Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyard Composition: 34% Vining Vineyard; 30% Indinoli Vineyard; 13% Dano Vineyard; 7% Sangiacomo Vineyard; 8% Black Night Vineyard; 8% De Voto Vineyard.
Appellation: Russian River Valley 
Alcohol: 14.2% 
Bottling Date: July 2, 2014
Release Date: September 1, 2014
Aging Potential: 7-10 Years 

Limited Production 285 Cases

89 POINTS ‐ ROBERT PARKER'S THE WINE ADVOCATE, ISSUE # 236, APRIL 2018 

20% Discount On The Bottle Price With The Purchase Of A Case 

Vineyard Profile

The Sonoma Coast is a world-renowned growing region known worldwide for its cool-climate Pinot Noir and microclimates that contribute to slow grape maturation and optimum ripeness.  The well respected and highly sought after Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir on Roberts Road is an elegant addition to the Calstar Cellars portfolio.  The Roberts Road parcel of the Sangiacomo Vineyard has located a the northern end of the Petaluma Gap with cobbled alluvial soil and bench deposits.  This location has proven itself to be the ideal site for Pinot Noir, influenced by morning fog, warm days and strong afternoon winds leaving the grapes plenty of hang time and development of distinct flavors.  

Tasting Notes 

A stunning vintage across the region, the 2013 perfectly balances rich, ripe fruitiness with firm acidity and broad tannin structure - the product of a long, extended growing season under near-perfect conditions.  Dried raspberry and cherry notes are balanced by sweet leather, black tea and forest floor.  On the palate, the fruit notes support primary savory flavors of roasted meat, minerality and mushrooms with hints of sweet baking spice and pomegranate.  Lovely and nimble, the tannins flex across the back of the mouth, carrying cassis and white pepper into the finish.

Technical Data

Varietal Composition:  100% Pinot Noir
Appellation:  Sonoma Coast 
Vineyard: Roberts Road Parcel, Sangiacomo Vineyard
Barrel Aging: 30% New, European Oak
Alcohol: 14.5%
Harvest Date: October 12, 2013
Release Date: August 1, 2018

Limited Production 122 Cases 

Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle

2013 Coruce Chardonnay Antelope Valley

The wine is comprised of 95% Chardonnay, 3% Viognier and 2% Semillion.  Whole cluster pressed and settled for 3 days and then racked off the solids.  Cold fermented for 26 days in stainless steel tanks and racked off the lees and aged for 12 months in 3 year old French oak barrels.

The wine has a combination of flavors and aromas of hazelnut, pear, green apple and pineapple with a lingering toasty finish.  Nice acidity

89 - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 

Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle

2013 Coruce Semillon Antelope Valley

The wine is comprised of 94% Semillon, 4% Chardonnay and 2% Viognier.  Whole cluster pressed and settled for 3 days then racked off the solids.  Cold fermented for 24 days in stainless steel tanks and then racked off the lees.  The wine was then aged for 6 months in 4 year old French barrels.

This wine has a combination of flavors and aromas of apple, pear, lemon grass and a touch of saffron spice on the finish.  Crisp and clean with nice acidity.

Robert Parker - 91+ Points

“The stylish and impressive 2013 Malbec comes from the Las Cerezas Vineyard in Yountville. This wine will make people stand up and notice. Dense purple-colored, with loads of licorice, coffee bean, blueberry and blackberry fruit, medium to full body, good acidity and ripe tannin, it should age beautifully for 15 or more years.” 

The fruit for this delicious wine was sourced from the Las Cerezas Vineyard in the Yountville AVA of Napa Valley.  Aged 18 months in 80% new French Oak, this medium to full bodied wine has flavors of dark berry and chocolate, with a touch of black pepper. It carries a crisp acidity with ripe plum aromas on the nose. It pairs incredible with Italian foods, and has quickly become our favorite wine to make since we bottled our first stand alone Malbec in 2007.

Only 116 cases produced

Alc. 15.5%

Our 'Rio Vista Vineyard' Pinot Noir from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, begins on the nose with a mouth watering sensation of strawberry/rhubarb pie and delicious spices baked into the mix. Right behind the pie are some earthy elements and touches of pepper, tobacco, smoked meats and a hint of orange peel. This is duck wine - or perhaps a comfort food roast beef or fresh Alaskan salmon grilled over a wood plank with light herbs. It evolves so much in the glass, maybe a bite of all three! It is at once sultry and at the same time playful, so perhaps pair this with some Madeleine Peyroux and a few of your more quixotic friends!

Winemaker’s Comments

The ‘Good Earth’ tier celebrates specific vineyards showcasing a distinct style of a particular varietal unique to that vineyard site. In Santa Barbara County, there is a special piece of land nestled in a canyon amongst the Santa Rita Hills that is chalk full of…well…chalk (!). It gently ambles to the ocean…it is foggy, cool, sometimes brooding…and perfect for Pinot Noir.

The Rio Vista Vineyard is a star within the highly acclaimed Santa Rita Hills appellation. Betweenthe hillside plantings on chalky soils and the long, cool growing season, the wines off this vineyard are noted for their depth of color and complexity of fruit. Balance is a word that immediately comes to mind – worthy of drinking tonight or aging for decades.

Wine Description

Our Humanitas 2012 ‘Rio Vista Vineyard’ Pinot Noir begins on the nose with a mouth watering sensation of strawberry/rhubarb pie and delicious spices baked into the mix. Right behind the pie are some earthy elements and touches of pepper, tobacco, smoked meats and a hint of orange peel.

In the mouth, the fruit is very bright up front and the texture is thick in the middle and finish. A little flint & stone pops in followed by cigar wrapper, leather & black pepper. This is a complex wine, yet very easy to drink. It changes a lot in the glass…over and over again. This is duck wine – or perhaps a comfort food roast beef or fresh Alaskan salmon grilled over a wood plank with light herbs. It evolves so much in the glass, maybe a bite of all three! It is at once sultry and at the same time playful so perhaps pair this with some Madeleine Peyroux and a few of your more quixotic friends!

Alcohol: 14.8%
Bottling Date: August 26, 2013
Appellation: Santa Rita Hills – ‘Rio Vista Vineyard’ Designation
Blend: 100% Rio Vista Vineyards Pinot Noir
Clones: 115, 667, 777 & Wadenswill
Wood: 10 months French Oak

Limited Production - 203 Cases 

Our 2012 'Truchard Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Carneros region of Napa Valley begins with leather and smoke, then opens to ripe cranberry and raspberry fruit with a hint of smoked meats. 'Earth' comes to mind - followed by black cherry juice, maybe some ripe tomato, mushrooms and cinnamon. On the palate, the wine is so inviting, with strawberry jam, vanilla, rhubarb, truffle & cinnamon all wrapped around a hint of caramel apple. Think either a big, thick salmon steal grilled with some hickory chips or a tasty rib-eye grilled just past rare. Throw in a little acoustic guitar, good friends, some heady conversation, and you've got the perfect setting to enjoy this truly stunning wine.

Winemaker’s Comments

The ‘Good Earth’ tier celebrates specific vineyards showcasing a distinct style of a particular varietal  unique to that vineyard site. There is something about the soil at Truchard Vineyard that is very clearly distinct to this site and perfect for Pinot Noir. Maybe it is the soil, maybe it is the slope, maybe is the aspect to the sun, maybe it is the hand of the grower…or a combo of all…but it is clear this tastes like the place. 

Truchard Vineyard is renowned as a shining example of all that the Carneros has to offer. Planting to the combination of Martini & Swan clones for this particular site was genius. Concentrated berries yield an intense, stylistic Pinot Noir that is signature ‘Truchard’. It is a dazzling expression of the Carneros.  

Wine Description

Our Humanitas 2012 ‘Truchard Vineyard’ Pinot Noir begins with leather & smoke, and opens to ripe cranberry & raspberry fruit with a hint of smoked meats. ‘Earth’ comes to mind…followed by black cherry juice, maybe some ripe tomato, mushrooms & cinnamon. Lots happening in the glass! 

On the palate, the wine is so inviting, with strawberry jam, vanilla, rhubarb, truffle & cinnamon all wrapped around a hint of a caramel apple. It is at once complex yet so easy to sip. I’m thinking that either a big, thick salmon steak grilled with some hickory chips or a tasty rib-eye grilled just past rare would do the trick. Throw in a little acoustic guitar, some good friends & some heady conversation and you’ve got a pretty nice setting to enjoy this truly stunning wine. 

Alcohol: 14.8%
Bottling Date: August 26, 2013
Appellation: Carneros – Napa ‘Truchard Vineyard’ Designation
Blend: 100% Truchard Vineyards Pinot Noir
Clones: Martini & Swan
Wood: 10 months French Oak

Limited Production - 501 Cases 

Signum: Latin for something that marks or identifies. We're more than comfortable making the 2012 Signum our identifying wine with its succulent, harmonious cacophony of blackberry, ripe wild strawberry, candied current and tobacco leaf. This is the elixir that seems to call out the stars on a cloudy night, and hasten our conversations to new existential depths. It's unfiltered, smooth, smudged with graphite, ready to chill out in your cellar for the next decade or emerge tonight paired with Coltrane's A Love Supreme, and maybe your love supreme?

Composition: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Calistoga, Napa Carneros, Rutherford, Napa Valley
Aging: 22 months in 70% new French oak, unfiltered
Harvest Date: October 18 & 26, 2012

2012 predecessor won double gold/best of class in the 2014 East meets West International Wine Competition.

$20 flat fee shipping on purchases of 1-12 bottles

Tasting Notes

A proprietary red blend that marries three primary varietals native to the Rhone Valley of France: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre (GSM). This classic-style blend resembles the Southern Rhone Chateauneuf du Papes blends in which the spice of the Grenache, lavender fragrance and perfumed berries of the Mourvedre and the dense, tannic fruit of the Syrah are united in a way that creates an earthy, yet explosive combination of flavors suitable for pairing with a wide variety of savory dishes or by itself.

Terroir

The grapes in this wine all come from the Wild Diamond Vineyard in southern Lake County. At an elevation of 2,200 ft., this vineyard sits high above the fog line, with 5 – 6 hours of direct sunlight daily and then cooled by Pacific breezes at night coming across the Mendocino wind gap. Its red loamy soil is the result of ancient pre-civilization floods and contains rich nutrients that contribute to the density, acidity and color of these grapes.

Blend:                         41% Grenache, 41% Mourvedre, 8% Syrah
Region:                       Wild Diamond Vineyard, Lake County, California
Alcohol:                      14.5%

Limited Production - 243 Cases 

2012 predecessor won double gold in the 2014 Tex Som International Wine Competition and the 2014 Riverside International Wine Competition in southern California.

$20 flat fee shipping on purchases of 1-12 bottles

Tasting Notes

Mourvedre is a grape native to Southern Rhone and typically found in Rhone blends, but rarely bottled as a single varietal. Our distinctive single varietal Mourvedre is a soft red perfumed wine with subtle flavors of blackberries and violets, a hint of clove and a dusty finish. Although this wine is a lighter style red, the fruit is bright with a surprisingly substantial mid-palate of fruit, making it a very versatile wine for a wide spectrum of foods – fish, pork, poultry and even desserts with berries.

Terroir

The grapes in this wine all come from the Wild Diamond Vineyard in southern Lake County. At an elevation of 2,200 ft., this vineyard sits high above the fog line, with 5 – 6 hours of direct sunlight daily and then cooled by Pacific breezes at night coming across the Mendocino wind gap. Its red loamy soil is the result of ancient pre-civilization floods and contains rich nutrients that contribute to the density, acidity and color of these grapes.

Varietal:                      100% Mourvedre
Region:                       Lake County, California
Alcohol:                      14.35%

Limited Production - 142 Cases

2012 predecessor won double gold/best of class in the 2014 Six Nation Challenge in Australia and Silver in the following competitions:   2015 San Francisco International Competition, 2014 Tex-Som International Wine Competition, 2014 Riverside International Wine Competition & 2014 East Meets West International Competition.

$20 flat fee shipping on purchases of 1-12 bottles

Tasting Notes

Syrah is known as the king of Rhone: single varietal for northern Rhone red wines and one of three primary grapes for the blends from southern Rhone. As a softer alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah still is known for its thick skin and big tannins, resulting in wines that are age-worthy and stand up to heartier dishes. This Syrah is elegance in the glass, with predominant notes of blackberry and black pepper and hints of anise, earth and leather.

Terroir

The grapes in this wine all come from the Wild Diamond Vineyard in southern Lake County. At an elevation of 2,200 ft., this vineyard sits high above the fog line, with 5 – 6 hours of direct sunlight daily and then cooled by Pacific breezes at night coming across the Mendocino wind gap. Its red loamy soil is the result of ancient pre-civilization floods and contains rich nutrients that contribute to the density, acidity and color of these grapes.

Varietal:                      100% Syrah
Region:                       Lake County, California
Alcohol:                      14.95%

Limited Production - 61 Cases

Tasting Notes

Dark Ruby color, deep layers of black cherries, cassis, blackberries, cocoa, currants and bit of truffle on the nose, the wine is beautiful and seductive. An elegant, round, and rich mid-palate with an attractive texture and excellent acidity, Padlock, our first red blend, is sexy but well balanced with good depth and length.

Appellation: 100% Napa Valley

Varietal: 73% Merlot - 21% Cabernet Sauvignon - 6% Cabernet Franc

Fermentation: 10 -14-day fermentation in open top and median sized fermenters all cap irrigated with peak temps of between 80 -85 F. All wine was aged in 60 gallon French barrels for 15 months. Wines were racked every four months and assemble two months before bottling.

Alcohol: 13.7%

Limited Production - 600 Cases

Tasting Notes 

Pure and Elegant, our pinot noir is bursting with energetic juicy blueberry and fresh raspberry. The vibrant fruit flavors are complemented by hints of lilac and sous-bois.  Enjoy this versatile wine on its own or paired with wild coho salmon, tagliatelle a la carbonara, coq au vin or whatever inspires you...

Appellation: 100% Sonoma Coast

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Fermentation: Fermented in bonar bins and aged 8 months in neutral French oak barrel.

Alcohol: 13.8%

Limited Production - 450 Cases

Tasting Notes

Limited Production 50 cases

Like our Howell Mountain Cab, we were at the right place at the right time. Through our connections we were able to stumble across enough for two barrels of this remarkable 100% Tempranillo that speaks to what Tempranillo is all about.

Tasting Notes

Vanilla cola swirls with cinnamon and allspice to blend into a burst of cherry and gold raspberry. The faint cedar and baking chocolate balances the fruit for a well-balanced finish of acid and tannins.

Vintage: 2013
Varietal(s): 100% Tempranillo
Appellation: Paso Robles
Alc: 14.8%

Limited Production 50 cases