Jeff’s Letter From July 2025

We have survived the spring frost season and arrived at the summer equinox having
experienced just one triple digit day of heat. The vines look terrific and the young
Touriga and Souzao we planted this winter are emerging from their grow tubes. Don’t
want to say anything too loud for fear of jinxing myself.

The July releases are two softer style reds, Primitivo and Grenache and two more
substantial wines Lagrein from the Highlands District of Paso Robles and the Zinfandel
from the Esola Vineyard here in Amador. The Grenache is the first from our Estate
Vineyard. It has a bit more color and a deeper flavor than the Silvaspoons Grenache,
but it is still fruit driven with soft tannins and takes a chill well. The Primitivo is one of
our best efforts with this variety and the 2023 edition just earned Best of Variety honors
at the California State Fair Wine Competition. The Lagrein and Esola Zinfandel are the
robust reds in this release, but neither is going to need time in the cellar to be enjoyed.

A flavorful accompaniment: grilled red meats for the Lagrein and lamb for the Zinfandel
will bring out the best in these two wines. The Explorer Club Addition is the return of
Malbec. The Dorado Canyon Malbec is grown in the Fairplay appellation at 2,400 feet
and has provided us with a stellar example of this variety. For those of you that like a
big red with plenty of oak complexity this wine is not to be missed.

Cheers,

– Jeff