Our Special Select Late Harvest Riesling comes from a one-acre block planted at Saralee’s Vineyard in 1997 in the Russian River Valley. Cool temperatures and morning fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean promote the development of Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) in the vineyards. This natural process allows the liquid to evaporate and the grapes to shrivel, thereby concentrating sugars and intensifying flavor and aromatic impressions. To maintain the pure fruit character and intensity of the grapes, we fermented and aged the wine in stainless steel at very cool temperatures.
This vineyard block we source from, known as Wedding Hill, is a unique site; the vines are terraced in a concentric circle around a small hill on the famed Saralee’s Vineyard in Russian River Valley, which offers various exposures that give complex aromatics to the fruit. While characteristically a floral wine, this release sings of jasmine, honeysuckle, and orange blossom. Complimenting the initial burst of floral aromas are notes of white nectarine, honey, and a touch of Bartlett pear. While lively and bright on the palate, the wine has a nice weight that coats the palate and lingers like a warm ray of sunshine.
Using a “no intervention” winemaking approach to capture the inherently balanced qualities of the vineyard, this Chardonnay is a pure and beautiful expression of Carneros. It is decisively fresh with Meyer lemon dominating the nose, while white flower and graham cracker are experienced from nose to palate. With generous texture and energy on the palate, this wine is defined by its balance of both richness and bright acidity.
The Sonoma Estates Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of fruit from vineyard sites throughout Sonoma County’s top regions for Cabernet: Sonoma Valley, Knights Valley and Alexander Valley AVAs. The Knights Valley fruit lends the wine structure and power, Sonoma Valley fruit offers ripe red fruit flavors and plush texture, while Alexander Valley provides blue fruit and bright acidity.
Our Arrowood Catchwire is a limited release Meritage red wine blend that pays homage to the importance of excellence in the vineyard. A Meritage is a blend of traditional noble Bordeaux grape varieties and represents the highest form of the winemaker’s craft. Winemaker Heidi von der Mehden and Master Sommelier George Miliotes partnered to create this elegantly structured blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.Layered with aromas of black fruit, dried cherries and mocha, the wine gives way to a smooth, round mouth feel. The tannins are well integrated with hints of vanilla and finishes with spice notes, dark cocoa and cherries.
Saralee’s Vineyard is decidedly cool climate. It possesses 13 acres of Syrah featuring a variety of French and Australian clones. We love the vibrancy, purity of fruit, and incredible structure that define this wine every vintage. Aromatics of dried fruit – plum, fig and black cherry, chocolate and spices; palate is balanced with complex dark fruit flavors, smoked meat and dense tannins; long finish with integrated toasty oak, dark chocolate, dried cherries and a hint of cassis.