California Wine

Winemaker Description 

The word "Balade" is French for wandering.  This is a fitting term for our annual exploration of single-vineyard pinot noir blocks on the west coast.  Each vintage, we will bottle only the most compelling and nuanced expression of pinot noir from a single selected vineyard and release it as a limited bottling.

Dark Purple-violet tones with enticing aromas of blackberry and boysenberry notes.  Sophisticated on the palate with flavors of black cherry, wild blackberry and jammy plum.  Balanced and structured, this wine has beautiful acidity that lingers through to a long, mouthwatering finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Matt Kettmann of the Wine Enthusiast writes 92 Points | Dried cherry, baked plum and a full spice rack of aromas show on the nose of this bottling. Tense, slightly sappy tannins frame the sip, where black plum, stewed cherry and bay leaf flavors lead into a wood smoke-kissed finish.  

Winemaker Description 

Sea Sun is a California Chardonnay whose character speaks to the unique coastal regions where it is sourced. Their diverse vineyard sites span several hundred miles, and even subtle differences in temperature and the strength of the wind leave their mark on the grapes.

 The result is a wine that combines some of our favorite characteristics of this varietal, with fruit flavors, oak and acidity in harmony and balance. Both lush and crisp, with scents of lemon zest and flavors of peaches and apricots, this wine suits a wide range of palates. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

This Rutherford-dominated blend of Cabernet Sauvignon complemented by Bordeaux grape varieties offers aromas of blackberry cobbler, plum, and black currants, followed by warm hints of vanilla and caramelized black fruit. A concentrated, silky wine emphasizing varietal expression, richness and balance from start to finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | This velvety, opulent wine is rich in baked cherry and blackberry aromas, with dark chocolate and crème de cassis flavors. Layers of fruit and oak spices fill the palate, shaped gently by fine-grained tannins. Best from 2026–2034. (2021). 

James Suckling 92 Points | Attractive aromas of ripe blackcurrants, dried cherries, walnuts, spiced cedar and licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, ripe and dark-fruited with velvety tannin structure and a spicy finish. Better after 2025. (2021). 

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | A smoking value, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has loads of up-front cassis and blackberry fruit to go with a layered, medium to full-bodied, juicy style that's already hard to resist. With some classic chocolate, spice, and leafy herb notes, ripe tannins, and a good finish, it's well worth seeking out. It will evolve for a solid 7-8 years or more. (2021). 

Robert Parker 90 Points | While Sequoia Grove's regular Cabernet Sauvignon may rarely win awards, it's been a consistent, reliable performer over the years, and it nearly always represents a good value. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon features hints of maple syrup, then bold black cherries and cassis. It's full-bodied and supple, easygoing but with enough concentration and structure to be more than just a quaffer. You could do a lot worse with a grilled ribeye, whether at home or at your local steakhouse. (2021). 

Winemaker Description

This vintage (2019), Petite Sirah leads this haunting red blend with intense notes of dark blackberry and rich boysenberry. Zinfandel adds fiery pepper notes and brings a balanced structure to the final wine.

In the finish, tantalizing layers of baking spices swirl amongst velvety tannins that have softened as they’ve aged 22 months in American oak. A sip of Phantom unfurls a seductive mystery yet to be solved.

Winemaker Description 

The nose is fresh with aromas of honeysuckle and citrus fruit. This medium bodied California Chardonnay is food-friendly with bright acidity and creaminess on the palate. Ripe pear, lemon curd, and vanilla flavors lead to a clean and lively finish. 

Winemaker Notes

The 2023 Far Niente Chardonnay enchants with a bouquet of citrus, white floral, and hints of honeydew melon and nectarine. Its silky texture and bright, refreshing palate dance with flavors of lemon/lime zest and lemon verbena, culminating in a long, juicy finish that leaves the palate yearning for more.

Expert Rating

Winemaker Description

Rich and beautifully focused from top to bottom. Deep, and vibrant red fruits and baking spices aromas inform the palate which is supple, serious, and wonderfully fresh. Although charming now, it will continue to improve over several years.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills leads with composed red cherry, rhubarb and spice box aromas. The palate is pure, fresh and well-balanced, leading to a straightforward, understated finish that beautifully summarizes the two stellar vineyard sites it hails from.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Fresh mulberry and cherry fruit brings nice lift, with light iris and rose petal notes darting through on the racy finish. Drink now through 2026. 8,700 cases made.

Winemaker Description

At the heart of a river junction at a special estate in California lies McManisFamily Vineyards, where five generations of family farmers have perfected the art of growing fruit with outstanding depth of flavor. McManis Family Vineyards' winemaking team then crafts that fruit into beautiful wines for everyday enjoyment.
This Chardonnay showcases bright aromas of pear, melon, and peach. The palate is driven by notes of stone fruit, banana, vanilla, and a hint of buttered popcorn.

Rich and decadent, this Chardonnay can be enjoyed on its own or with a delicious meal.

Winemaker Description 

An initial impression of rich, buttery cream quickly turns to aromas of honey and lightly toasted almonds, followed by tropical aromas of pineapple, citrusy lemon and crème brulee. The wine is refreshing on the palate, with a minerality that is both bright and clean, drawing you into a vibrant tartness and lemon zest that is absolutely, positively Bonterra Chardonnay, vintage after vintage. 

Winemaker Description 

Our Chardonnay is medium-bodied with a hint of oak. Aromas of lemon and citrus combined with flavors of apple and pear lead to a delightfully crisp finish. 

Winemaker Description

This is a quintessential Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with pronounced aromas of blackberry, cassis, and vanilla that welcome you into the glass. Flavors of black plums, nutmeg, dark chocolate, and a touch of espresso enhance the wine's complex and full-bodied structure, with a core of elegant acidity from start to finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Winemaker Description

Cooper & Thief’s bourbon barrel-aged Red Blend offers notes of warm toasty vanilla, with dark fruit and a gentle hint of classic bourbon spice. Blackberry and jammy dark currants lead to a rich finish, with the elegance of a fine-sipping bourbon.

Cooper and Thief Bourbon Barrel Aged Red Wine Blend is aged in bourbon whiskey barrels for three months, giving it a velvety mouthfeel with subtle heat. Merlot, syrah, zinfandel, petite sirah and cabernet sauvignon collide in one bourbon barrel to create this dark and jammy wine, which features true bourbon flavor. Crafted by Cellarmaster Jeff Kasavan, each taste of this California red wine gives way to aromatic hints of fruit and toasty vanilla.

This dark red wine garners its unique taste thanks to varietals found all across California's prime winegrowing regions. Bring this red blend along on your next picnic and enjoy it on its own, or stack this rich, bold taste up against lamb or poultry. The bourbon barrel aging gives this wine soft tannins that deliver a full-bodied and lingering finish in each sip. For a devilishly good taste, keep this red wine blend stored at room temperature, and chill it before serving. Born from mischief, Cooper and Thief Wine celebrates doing things differently. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Tasting Panel 93 Points | Whole cluster-pressed and fermented in French oak, this impeccably balanced wine delivers indulgent notes of lemon bar, honeyed pear, lychee, and gardenia with reined-in richness.

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | The 2022 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills is a solid snapshot of Sanford's modern winemaking pure, precise and balanced. The nose is driven by pretty, straightforward orchard fruit and breakfast cereal aromas, leading to a balanced, clean palate and a refreshing finish with accents of creamy richness.

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description

Savvy, succulent, salubrious and scintillating sums up our oak-less Chardonnay. Just picked apples, wildflowers and apricots fill your senses. Flavors of young peaches, juicy pineapple, citrus, white figs and hints of flint lace your palate. Complex, balanced and ready for a party of one or one hundred. 

Winemaker Description

A medley of fresh fruits including plum and a hint of nectarine; semi-sweet baking chocolate, damp earth and a backdrop of toasted oak aromas. Flavors of chocolate cake with coconut shavings, crème de cassis, stone fruit, nutmeg and clove, smooth tannins. Dry yet rich, with lavish fruit and a smooth texture. Be daring and drink slightly chilled to reveal an unexpectedly refreshing red wine.

Pair with Asian or Indian cuisine; Mexican tacos and fajitas; smoked meats or anything that fits on a grill. 

Winemaker Description

Classic Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir. It is a deeply colored, fruit forward Pinot with a nose of spiced cranberry, strawberry and hibiscus. The abundance of fruit continues on the palate showing plum, dark cherry, and cranberry with nuances of anise, tea and clove. It is a powerful Pinot at a great price point.

Easily matched with barbecued ribs, oak grilled chops, a juicy burger or spicy Asian cuisine. Enjoy with salmon, spicy Indian dishes, or even oak grilled burgers.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | Aromas of flowers, tropical pineapple and citrus, and whispers of jalapeño swirl on the nose of this wine. The palate has a plush and juicy texture, with flavors of papaya, lemon curd, salted lime and chopped herb mélange.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Tasted as a barrel sample, the bright straw-colored 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Estate is forward and bright with punchy zest, bright green herbs, salted grapefruit, and guava. Leaning to medium-bodied, it has a floral slanting profile on the palate, with a clean finish and a supple feel. 

Winemaker Description

Chalk Hill Sauvignon Blanc opens with aromas of lemongrass, grapefruit, and fresh flowers. The palate is vibrant and rich with beautiful notes of tropical fruits, grapefruit, and a clean minerality on the finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Vivacious and briary, this Zin is generous with personality, offering blackberry, licorice and orange peel accents that zip along the zesty finish. Drink now through 2032. (2022).

Winemaker Description 

This Zinfandel captivates with a complex fusion of blackberry, black currant, plum, cherry, and baking spice aromas. Its lively palate showcases succulent fruit interwoven with supple tannins, persisting from mid-palate to a gratifying finish.

Its intricate depth perfectly complements indulgent dishes like hearty short ribs, velvety pork belly, or luxurious gnocchi gorgonzola, enhancing the dining experience with robust yet nuanced harmony. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

The McManis Family Vineyards Zinfandel is a dark purple wine, loaded with notes of ripe red currant, strawberry, caramelized sugar, and toasty oak. The savory red fruit on the palate leads to soft, supple tannins and a smooth finish.

Expert Rating - Vintage 2022 

90 Points Wine Enthusiast | This wine is fresh, zesty, with aromas of orange, cranberry, mulberries, red plums, mulled spices, allspice, clove on thinemaker Description

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Tom Capo of the Wine Enthusiast writes 95 Points | Bright and aromatically compelling on the nose, this Chardonnay vibrates with aromas of green apple, lemon balm, orange blossom and river rock. The palate is energetic, giving flavors of apricot and Meyer lemon peel. A massive streak of acidity rips from front to back.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | A bright yellow color, the 2022 Chardonnay Wester Reach is a textbook example of this vintage, with a lot of elegance and a wide drinking window. From the Russian River Valley and aged in 25% new oak barrels for 11 months, it takes on more glycerol richness and a rounded profile. A great wine out of the gate, it captures the sunny feel of the region, but it’s light on its feet and closes with a great finish. This is a crowd-pleaser of a wine, and I would be happy to have this on my table at any stage. Drink 2024-2032.

James Suckling 94 Points | So much Meyer lemon and apple character with some pears on the nose and palate. It’s medium-bodied. It’s like tasting out of a fermenter full of crushed must. Such unadulterated purity. A tight palate with bright acidity and lovely fruit. Drink now.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points |  The 2022 Chardonnay Wester Reach is sourced from several vineyards, including Flax (40%) and Dumol Estate (15%), and grapes were harvested from August 18–September 7. It sits low in the glass at this stage, with understated notes of peach, mushroom powder, flint and cheese rind. The light-bodied palate is soft and rounded with saline-tinged fruit and a gently flinty finish. 3,500 cases were made.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | An expressive version, offering notes of mango, nectarine and dried apricot on a succulent and fleshy frame, with juicy accents of ginger, lemon balm and orange zest lingering on the finish. Drink now. 3,500 cases made.

The Wine Independent 92 Points | Notes of juicy pears, apple sauce, and fresh nectarines pop from the glass of the 2022 Wester Reach Chardonnay, leading to wafts of honeycomb and cashews. The medium to full-bodied palate is filled with orchard fruit flavors supported by a racy backbone, finishing with a compelling tangy lift.

Winemaker Description 

Great aromatic intensity—citrus and nectarine fruits, jasmine and orange blossom, briny/flinty sea spray edges. The flavors center upon lemony green apple then deeper stone fruits with honeysuckle and ginger richness. The wine’s texture is deep, oily, and layered. Fresh mineral, grapefruit acidity cuts through the richness giving a pinpoint focus to the wine’s long echoing finish.

This Zinfandel is a bold wine grown from some of the oldest vines in California. Gnarly Head’s untamed vines produce full-flavored grapes, dense with aromas of blackberry bramble, juicy plum, and toasted oak. This medium-bodied wine boasts a balanced acidity and supple tannins for those who like unique, big wines with a little eclectic edge.

Enjoy this wine with chili, mini stuffed peppers or with rich and tangy BBQ. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

Pretty aromas of ripe boysenberry, dark cherry and cassis, coupled with scents of sweet oak and herbal spice, introduce plush, deeply concentrated, black fruit flavors bolstered by bright acidity and well-structured tannins. This classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a long, lovely finish featuring savory fruit, spice and mineral tones.

An excellent companion to beef, rich pork dishes and game.

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description

The bouquet of this Merlot is complex with scents of violets, sweet plums, and vanilla bean. On the palate, the wine is velvety and soft in texture, with flavors of plums, blackberries and cherries, and a long cocoa powder finish.

Pair this medium-bodied wine with medium-bodied dishes, pair the fruit and floral characteristics of the wine with savory ingredients like mushrooms, or enjoy with lighters proteins like chicken or anything with a tomato based sauce. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | This earthier Pinot Noir is a deep garnet color, with flickering hints of a darker edge glint as the glass swirls. The nose is a woodsy affair, with aromas of cedar, black tea and tart black cherry emerging. Savory, lithe and balanced, the palate has a woodsy tannic grip at the finish.

Winemaker Description 

The wine has a beautiful vibrant red color, and a deep brooding aroma reminiscent of dried herbs, toasted hazelnuts, and blood orange peel. The flavors are bright from acidity, and deep from concentration at the same time having flavors of shiitake mushrooms, bay laurel, lavender, and cooked red and blackberries. The wine is amazingly complex, bright, rich, and inviting. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Grgich Hills Estate Fumé Blanc will tantalize your senses with notes of green pepper, snap pea, lime and star fruit. On the front palate, enjoy the fresh fruit flavors of lemon, lime, and green apple supported by an undertone of sea salt.

This wine's chiseled texture, linear acidity, and long finish make it the perfect pairing with filet of sole, pork loin and savory goat cheese.

Expert Review

91 Points James Suckling | Aromas of wet stone, sliced peach and fresh flowers. Medium- to full-bodied with citrus acidity and fresh stone fruit. A little phenolic tension here, too, with refreshing tannins at the finish. 

Winemaker Description 

Bogle’s “heritage” Petite Sirah is known for its concentration and jammy, luscious flavors. Lush with touches of cacao and roasted coffee bean on the nose. The decadent aromatics are followed by dark and jammy flavors of boysenberry, blackberry and blueberries, picked ripe off the vine. Silky and luxurious in texture, the wine embraces your senses with a cozy familiarity. And the finish, ample and complex after aging in American oak for 12 months, is full of spicy vanilla and sweet clove…lingering long after the last sip.

Certified by the California Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing, Vegan Frindly & Gluten-Free

Winemaker Description 

Our Pinot Noir grapes were primarily grown in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey County, which sits on a gravelly alluvial plain beneath the Santa Lucia Mountains. Cool winds from Monterey Bay ensure gradual ripening and development of vibrant flavors. The rocky soils allow excellent drainage, enhancing intensity and promoting balanced ripeness and acidity.

Vibrant aromas of red and dark cherry, raspberry and plum with subtle touches of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, silky tannins and excellent acid balance are joined by delicate flavors of red cherry and raspberry, culminating with notes of earthiness on a long and lingering finish. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

90 Points Wine Spectator | Impressive for the bright, fresh core of pineapple, honeysuckle and tangerine flavors, with a touch of dried lemon zest and green cardamom on the finish.

Winemaker Description 

Produced in a vintage that brought us intensely concentrated fruit, the 2020 Chardonnay is lush and bright, inviting you in with warm notes of baked apple, pear and honeysuckle. Expansive across the palate with hints of lemon chiffon and apricot, the 2020 vintage enjoys a rich and unctuous finish of warm vanilla and brioche. 

Winemaker Description

Balanced and elegant with full, bright fruit and complex earth notes that hail from our carefully selected cool Sonoma Coast vineyards.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Vinous Media 93 Points | The 2021 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a huge overachiever. Bright, punchy and super-expressive, the 2021 offers up boisterous red/purplish fruit. Lavender, rose petal, spice and mint are all dialed up in this heady, explosive Pinot. Readers will have a very hard time finding a Pinot with this much quality for the money. All of the fruit is estate. I am not sure I have ever tasted a California Pinot this good for $40 a bottle.  

James Suckling 92 Points | This is so bright and fruity, with vivid cherry, hibiscus and lime. Medium to full body. Tangy. Bitter orange at the end. Drink or hold. 

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | The 2021 Pinot Noir is made from 100% estate fruit this year. Bottled under screw cap, it takes a minute or two to reveal cranberry sauce, baked rhubarb, red cherries and mint with touches of mushroom and mossy bark. The light-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with concentrated, earthy fruit, and it has a satisfying finish that draws you in for another sip.

Expert Reviews 

Eric Guido of Vinous writes 91 Points | A beautiful platinum pink with orange hues in the glass. The NV Brut Rosé Mirabelle opens with a perfumed blend of nectarines, ginger and spiced orange rind. This impresses with a sweet and sour combination of citrus and minerals carried across a core of zesty acidity. A chiseled bead of bubbles massages the palate. The Mirabelle finishes quite savory yet fresh. A salty flourish mingles with toasty brioche notes.  Drinking 2023 - 2025.  

Erin Brooks of the Wine Advocate writes 92 Points | The NV Mirabelle Brut Rose has a pale cherry-pink color and scents of green melon, citrus blossoms and creamy undertones with stony wafts. The palate is rounded and floral with fragrant flavors, energetic mousse and a long, flavorful finish.  Drinking 2022 - 2025. 

91 Points James Suckling | Lush fruit aromas of tangerines, ruby grapefruit and raspberries followed by brioche and bread crumbs. Full-bodied with creamy beads and crisp acidity. Glossy and citrusy. Nice crunchiness at the end. Drink now.  

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | This wine is delicious but subtle as it weaves tempting notes of raspberry and cream with toasted nut and baked bread nuances that provide complexity and layering. It has both a vivid crispness and a subtle smoothness that coats the mouth and helps the finish linger.

Winemaker Description 

The Mirabelle Brut Rosé is a specially crafted blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Schramsberg's select cool-climate vineyards in Carneros, Anderson Valley, and the Sonoma and Marin coastal areas of Northern California. Pinot Noir lots, including a few fermented with skin contact, provide brightness of berry fruit and body, while Chardonnay lots lend length and zest to the palate. Additional flavor depth and aromatic complexity results from the blending of base wine lots aged in barrels and tanks for one or more years. The finished Brut Rosé exhibits fresh, elegant and toasty aromas of red berries and lemon-lime. Upon first sip, flavors of juicy red apple, pineapple, and orange lead into a lively and delicious finish on the palate.

Blend: 54% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir. Winemaker Description.