Jeff’s Letter From January 2026
We are putting the finishing touches on the 2025 harvest. Oh Really? Aren’t you done yet? Nope! We don’t consider the harvest over until the last of the wines have completed the malo-lactic fermentation. This is a second fermentation that usually takes place after the alcoholic fermentation in which malic acid in the young wine is converted into lactic acid by bacteria.
We like to hustle this fermentation along so that we can rack the wines, make any necessary adjustments, and add some sulfur dioxide to protect the wine from Brettanomyces, and return the wines to barrels to finish their aging. To accomplish this we keep the cellar warm; 69 degrees. I don’t like dropping coin to PG&E any more than anyone else so I am happy when I can turn off the heat. It looks like that may happen before the end of the year. Hallelujah. Sometimes the malo-lactic fermentations linger until Valentine’s Day or even Easter so I am smiling. And you thought it was because Christmas was around the corner. See how romantic winemaking can be.
Even better news is that we have five terrific wines in the January Wine Club release. We lead with the Cooper Vineyard Barbera, makes me want to make a lasagna. The Pinot Noir from Lone Oak is bright and juicy with soft tannins and a focus on black cherry fruit. The Touriga from the Silvaspoons Vineyard in Lodi is dark and rich more so than usual. It has plenty of the floral perfume that makes Touriga so distinctive. The Syrah from Three Way Vineyard in Paso Robles is also a fruit driven monster, great color, loads of blackberry fruit and smoky oaky tannins. The Explorer addition is the Sangiovese from John Murrill’s “The Hill” Vineyard and it is the perfect accompaniment to Osso Bucco. I am getting hungry. These wines should help you usher in the first few days of winter. If you are local and socked in by the fog or gray overcast skies give us a call and we’ll let you know if we are above it all and basking in the sunshine as we would love to have you join us to try out the new releases. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!
Cheers,
Jeff
