$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This new brand was formed in 2013 when a Swedish wine broker in Arizona and his marketing-expert wife teamed up with a winemaker who has enology degrees from both U.C. Davis and Cal Poly as well as experience launching two Napa brands (Amicus and X Winery).  As a group, “they know business and they know wine,” the two ingredients for success in this business.  Mattias and Laura Slope handle the business side; Reed Renaudin is the winemaker.

Fruit for this blend—which interestingly enough is zipped up with zinfandel—is source from the Alexander Valley.  Aged for six months on 35% new French oak, then blended and aged for another four months.  This juice is ready to drink now!

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Crimson to dark red in the glass, the wine also offers dark fruit aromas of ripe blackberry, currants and plum that are followed by chocolate and just a hint of vanilla. This wine has a luscious texture and full mouthfeel that’s packed with ripe berry flavors that still finishes refreshingly dry with plenty of enticement to enjoy more.”

Blend:  39% merlot; 37% petite sirah; 13% carignane; 7% zinfandel; 4% cabernet sauvignon

$19.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Aviary is one of a collection of brands in the Alcohol by Volume portfolio founded by three refugees from corporate America who describe their strategy as “the realization of our punk vision.”  Propelled by the legacy of Kurt Kobain rather than Warren Buffet, the trio of Gregory Ahn, Jonathan White and Matt Scarlett are building the next Constellation Brands from the ground up.  Says the crew:  “Our mission is to turn up the volume on wines that we believe will be the next rock stars of the wine world. . .if it’s too loud, you’re too old.”

No offense taken by this 65-year-old wine shop owner because these boys deliver.  Great, affordable juice produced in modest quantities.  Alc/Vol also produces another of this month’s wine selections, the 2013 Bread & Butter Chardonnay.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Our garnet-colored 2012 Aviary Red Wine showcases notes of bright strawberry, raspberry, and cassis along with oak-inspired elements, vanilla, smoke and almond. The palate is teeming with mouth-watering tannins, ripe red fruits and a long, elegant finish. Enjoy this wine now through 2020 with a variety of pairing options including your favorite red-sauce pasta dish, a juicy steak or even on it’s own.”

Blend:  30% cabernet sauvignon; 25% zinfandel; 25% merlot; 10% petite sirah; 10% cabernet franc

$60 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Westerly’s winemaker, Adam Henkel, was just named winemaker of the month (September 2015) by Wine Business Monthly, the bible of the winemaking industry in California.  No big surprise because Adam, who joined the winery in 2013, is an accomplished winemaker, having worked at Harlan Estate for eight harvests and labored for a year alongside Chris Phelps at Swanson Vineyards in Rutherford. . .all invaluable experience for the native Kentuckian who got into the wine business by first working six years at a fine wine shop in—of all places—Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Westerly is owned by Texan Roger Bower, a dead ringer for Richard Branson, who made his grubstake when Tyco International acquired his firefighting foam company, Chemguard, in 2011.  He’s never looked back and focuses his time on every level of his Crown Point Vineyard in Happy Canyon.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The 2010 cabernet sauvignon is classically styled with currant, plum, cassis and graphite notes on the palate. The nose shows herbal and cedar notes. This is a wine of substantial breadth, with mouth-coating finely grained tannins. Structured and balanced, this wine will drink at its peak from 2014-2019.”

Wine Enthusiast Review (92 points):  “Former Harlan Estate cellar master Adam Henkel presents aromas of tart bing cherry, bright red berry, black slate and dried black cherry on this wine. The palate shows initial flavors of oregano, thyme and dill then pops with blackberries and black cherries, all flecked by ample coffee and cola seasonings.”

Blend:  96% cabernet sauvignon; 4% petit verdot

$44 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Here’s a first-time selection from this Santa Maria winery owned by the Murphy family. . .heirs to an oil fortune in Louisiana, Murphy Oil Company.  When the historic family home was wiped out during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, young Matt Murphy—with a longtime interest in wine—sought out property in California to make pinot noir with winemaker-friend, Dieter Cronje, a native of South Africa.  The search ended in Santa Maria where the family purchased 200 acres and began planting pinot noir.  Today, there are 73 acres in vines.

Their first vintage was in 2008 and a tasting room was opened in Los Olivos in 2013.  In addition to pinot, Presqu”ile (which translates roughly to “almost an island,” the name of the family estate in Louisiana) also makes chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, syrah and rosé of pinot.

One of the wine world’s most respected bloggers, Alder Yarrow of Vinography, was absolutely blown away with the first vintage he tasted in 2011, calling Presqu’ile “The most exciting new winery.”  When you taste this stuff, you’ll be searching for superlatives, too.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Our 2013 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir offers what we consider the hallmarks of our AVA: balance, complexity and the ever-present “Santa Maria spice”.  It is this spice-driven character that we prize so deeply and which made us fall in love with this region.”

Blend:  100% pinot noir

$30.75 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Details are scant, but here’s what we learned from the distributor, Mad Rose Group:  “Ermes Pavese is a youthful grower in the commune of La Ruine just outside of the town of Morgex in the high Alps minutes from the summit of Mont Blanc.  Pavese works the native grape known as Prié Blanc. Starting with barely two hectares of vineyards, situated at about 1200 meters above sea level, Pavese has gradually expanded his holdings in this high altitude zone. He now produces three versions of Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle.  Because these vineyards are so isolated, Pavese has been able to work with the original, pre-phylloxera root stock since that malady never infiltrated this area when it came sweeping through Europe many years ago.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Color: clear, pale yellow with golden reflections; Bouquet: hints of herbs, flowers (hawthorn), with hints of white fruit (Williams pears); Tone: spicy white pepper; Taste: fresh intense, persistent with mineral notes.

Blend:  100% prié blanc

$60 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This is a personal project of Jason Kesner launched in 2002 with a single barrel of chardonnay while he managed viticulture for Napa’s Hudson Vineyards.  The next year he produced three barrels and much of it was poured in top restaurants, including the French Laundry.

Kesner departed Napa in 2008 for nearby Sonoma County and Kistler Vineyards to become assistant winemaker of one of the top producers of chardonnay in California (and arguably the world).  In 2014 he was elevated to winemaker.

In his words:  “I have approached winemaking from a very strong foundation in the vineyard. I grew up in the vineyards here in California, at an early age learning to prune, drive tractors and turn on wind machines to ward off frost.  I think more winemakers should own a well-worn pair of pruning shears. Winemaking is, at its core, an extension of farming.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Our third vintage from this long heralded site. The same family has been farming the land since the late 1950s, and they learned what worked and what didn’t a long time ago. Heritage California clone chardonnay on St. George rootstock planted in the red sandy soils in the hills west of the river. It consistently yields a wine that gives a nod to classic Californian chardonnays, but with structure and lively acids due to us picking a touch on the early side. Beautiful, refined tones of golden stone fruit, and an underlying sense of minerality with a hint of whey. Mouth-filling presence that deftly toes the line between body and structure, with a vibrancy that resonates through its luxurious, long-lasting finish.”

Blend:  100% chardonnay

$ (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’re encountering more and more wineries and winemakers who are owned/operated by people of Hispanic descent, and here’s an amazing example: Campesino of Napa, producers of a delicious little blend we’re featuring this month.  Campesino means “fieldworker” in Spanish, and the winery’s tag line is:  “Through Our Work, We Pay Homage to Yours,” a fitting and noble sentiment since both owners Griselda and Macario Montoya are the children of fieldworkers, whom they pay tribute to on their web site:

“. . .more than just laborers, these men and women are the keepers of the vine. They work the earth with dignity and care. We must not forget that every bottle of wine is indebted to their sacrifice. As we enjoy the fruits of their labor let us give thanks for their hard work and dedication. A mis carnales y mis carnalas gracias por su trabajo. To my brothers and sisters thank you for your work.”

That’s pretty powerful stuff.   The two owners are married and the two wines in their portfolio, Alina and Isa, are named for their children.

These are clearly hard-working folks.  Griselda not only handles a big load with the winery, she is also a commercial loan officer with a major bank and does event planning on the side.  Macario is clearly all in, and this is a winery we’ll be watching and rooting for.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This beautiful wine named after our daughter comes from La Prenda Vineyard in the western Sonoma Valley. Hints of apricot, honeysuckle, ripe apple and intoxicating notes of citrus essence provide for a super-aromatic bouquet. Medium-to-full bodied with a lovely creaminess that lends texture to layers of lemon curd and guava. It is refreshed with a lively acidic line and a long-lasting finish. Stainless steel fermented and aged for 6 months in neutral oak barrels, Alina provides the perfect pairing for any summer dish.”

Blend:  50% roussanne; 50% marsanne

$19.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Aviary is one of a collection of brands in the Alcohol by Volume portfolio founded by three refugees from corporate America who describe their strategy as “the realization of our punk vision.”  Propelled by the legacy of Kurt Kobain rather than Warren Buffet, the trio of Gregory Ahn, Jonathan White and Matt Scarlett are building the next Constellation Brands from the ground up.  Says the crew:  “Our mission is to turn up the volume on wines that we believe will be the next rock stars of the wine world. . .if it’s too loud, you’re too old.”

No offense taken by this 65-year-old wine shop owner because these boys deliver.  Great, affordable juice produced in modest quantities.  Alc/Vol also produces another of this month’s wine selections, the 2013 Bread & Butter Chardonnay.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Our garnet-colored 2012 Aviary Red Wine showcases notes of bright strawberry, raspberry, and cassis along with oak-inspired elements, vanilla, smoke and almond. The palate is teeming with mouth-watering tannins, ripe red fruits and a long, elegant finish. Enjoy this wine now through 2020 with a variety of pairing options including your favorite red-sauce pasta dish, a juicy steak or even on it’s own.”

Blend:  30% cabernet sauvignon; 25% zinfandel; 25% merlot; 10% petite sirah; 10% cabernet franc

$60 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This is a personal project of Jason Kesner launched in 2002 with a single barrel of chardonnay while he managed viticulture for Napa’s Hudson Vineyards.  The next year he produced three barrels and much of it was poured in top restaurants, including the French Laundry.

Kesner departed Napa in 2008 for nearby Sonoma County and Kistler Vineyards to become assistant winemaker of one of the top producers of chardonnay in California (and arguably the world).  In 2014 he was elevated to winemaker.

In his words:  “I have approached winemaking from a very strong foundation in the vineyard. I grew up in the vineyards here in California, at an early age learning to prune, drive tractors and turn on wind machines to ward off frost.  I think more winemakers should own a well-worn pair of pruning shears. Winemaking is, at its core, an extension of farming.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Our third vintage from this long heralded site. The same family has been farming the land since the late 1950s, and they learned what worked and what didn’t a long time ago. Heritage California clone chardonnay on St. George rootstock planted in the red sandy soils in the hills west of the river. It consistently yields a wine that gives a nod to classic Californian chardonnays, but with structure and lively acids due to us picking a touch on the early side. Beautiful, refined tones of golden stone fruit, and an underlying sense of minerality with a hint of whey. Mouth-filling presence that deftly toes the line between body and structure, with a vibrancy that resonates through its luxurious, long-lasting finish.”

Blend:  100% chardonnay

$44 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Here’s a first-time selection from this Santa Maria winery owned by the Murphy family. . .heirs to an oil fortune in Louisiana, Murphy Oil Company.  When the historic family home was wiped out during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, young Matt Murphy—with a longtime interest in wine—sought out property in California to make pinot noir with winemaker-friend, Dieter Cronje, a native of South Africa.  The search ended in Santa Maria where the family purchased 200 acres and began planting pinot noir.  Today, there are 73 acres in vines.

Their first vintage was in 2008 and a tasting room was opened in Los Olivos in 2013.  In addition to pinot, Presqu”ile (which translates roughly to “almost an island,” the name of the family estate in Louisiana) also makes chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, syrah and rosé of pinot.

One of the wine world’s most respected bloggers, Alder Yarrow of Vinography, was absolutely blown away with the first vintage he tasted in 2011, calling Presqu’ile “The most exciting new winery.”  When you taste this stuff, you’ll be searching for superlatives, too.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Our 2013 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir offers what we consider the hallmarks of our AVA: balance, complexity and the ever-present “Santa Maria spice”.  It is this spice-driven character that we prize so deeply and which made us fall in love with this region.”

Blend:  100% pinot noir