Winemaker Notes From a Sonoma Coast vineyard, the 2005 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard reveals extremely uplifted aromatics displaying hints of wet stones, white currants, flowers, peaches, and subtle tropical fruits. Full-bodied, intense, and tightly-knit, it should drink well for 7-8 years. Kistler Vineyards, undeniably one of the world's finest winemaking estates, is run with passionate dedication to detail and quality by Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler. It is wines like these that keep an old critic like me inspired and energized. About Winery Kistler Vineyards is a small winery in the Russian River Valley specializing in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Founded in 1978 on the notion that compelling wines of site can and should be made in California. Kistler has been working with their own heritage selection of Chardonnay since the mid-1980s and is known the world over as a single clone Chardonnay house. They plant one heritage selection of Chardonnay across fifteen vineyards, giving rise to eleven vineyard designate Chardonnays. Similarly, Kistler produces four Pinot Noirs; each of these wines is crafted from the two small-clustered, low-yielding clones that were imported from a Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy, which they began propagating over 20 years ago. Geoff Labitzke, MW, is the National Director of Sales for Kistler Vineyards and will be our guide as we explore five distinct bottlings of Kistler’s highly sought-after wines.

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Winemaker Notes A brilliant pale yellow color. The attractive aromas of white and yellow fruits mix with light woody notes. On the palate, this wine meets up to the expectations of its aromas: it has a round and full attack before the vanillary and toasty tastes reveal themselves. Good long-lasting aromas. The finish is slightly acidic. About Winery Domaine Faiveley is one of the largest and most illustrious domaines in Burgundy, and has made its name with red wines made from the Pinot Noir grape. It was founded in 1825 in the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges under Joseph Faiveley, a wine merchant who had a desire for travel. In the beginning of the 19th Century, trade had begun between Burgundy and northern Europe, predominantly along the rivers and canals connecting the regions. Merchants from Burgundy would travel along these paths to exchange their wines for textiles. Joseph Faiveley was one of these merchants, introducing his Burgundian wine to the wider world. Today, the house is run by seventh-generation Eve and Erwan Faiveley (wine-searcher.com interviewed Eve Faiveley in 2021), and the company has expanded its footprint in the Côte de Beaune, and has vineyards throughout the Côte de Nuits, as well as in the Côte Chalonnaise (Domaine de la Framboisière) and Chablis. Domaine Faiveley is best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, but small amounts of Aligoté are also planted in the Côte Chalonnaise. Currently, Faiveley has 10 hectares (25 acres) of grand cru vineyards out of a total of 115 hectares (285 acres).

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Winemaker Notes ARIEL Chardonnay, with its tropical fruit character and subtle oak from barrel aging, has a distinctive combination of buttery apple and butterscotch flavors, combined with a toasty French oak bouquet. This is a dealcoholized wine that will continue to develop complexity as it ages. Try it with spaghetti carbonara, mango mahi-mahi, sautéed scallops, crispy duck. THE J LOHR STORY Fifty years ago, Jerry Lohr embarked on a career change. What followed would reshape the landscape of the California wine industry and create one of the country’s most popular wine brands. In the late 1960s, Jerry Lohr began an extensive investigation of California grape growing regions – searching for the ideal location for his first vineyard. Jerry was raised on a South Dakota farm; his agricultural roots armed him with an innate sense for the relationship between climate, soil, and location. His research and instincts led him to the Central Coast, an area just beginning to explore its potential for winegrowing. Four decades ago, the California Central Coast had not yet emerged as one of North America’s world-class winegrowing regions. With little history or viticultural precedent, planting on the Central Coast was a gamble. One of a handful of early pioneers, Jerry Lohr was among the first to realize the inherent potential of Monterey and Paso Robles for producing high quality grapes and superb wines. PIONEERING MONTEREY AND PASO ROBLES -JERRY LOHR LEGACY-It’s no coincidence that the Central Coast’s emergence as a world class winegrowing region runs parallel with the establishment and growth of J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery. Founder Jerry Lohr is one of the region’s pioneers and has played a larger-than-life role in bringing the area to prominence. Jerry’s instincts led him to two regions located about 75 miles apart. In the early 1970s, he chose Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco district for its cool, windy climate and rocky soils as ideal for Chardonnay. In the 1980s, he recognized the potential of Paso Robles for growing Bordeaux varietals, especially Cabernet Sauvignon – given the area’s rich soils and dramatic diurnal temperature swings between warm days and cool nights. After Jerry Lohr’s nearly decade-long search for the right place to plant his first vineyard, he chose a site in Monterey County that was to become the heart of the Arroyo Seco appellation. Jerry originally planted 280 acres in 1972 and 1973 near Greenfield. Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco appellation has proved ideal for growing layered, complex Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Brisk winds and fog off Monterey Bay, stony, well-drained soils, and a lack of damaging fall rains all combine to produce grapes with trademark fruit intensity and balancing acidity. In 1974, Jerry unveiled the first J. Lohr winery in San Jose. In the early 1980s, Jerry Lohr saw the potential for great Cabernet Sauvignon further south. Borrowing a lesson from the French—that great Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon excel in very different growing conditions—Jerry began planting Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties in San Luis Obispo County’s little-known Paso Robles region in 1986. With the hands-on devotion of an artisan farmer, Jerry tended to the vines while diligently working toward the creation and development of an adjacent winery and barreling cellars; J. Lohr’s Paso Robles production facility was opened in 1988.

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Winemaker Notes Pale yellow. Piercing lifted scents of ripe orchard fruits and floral nuances with its classic marine aromatic base layers framing the higher pitched tones. Conveys a sense of weight without heaviness. Supportive and integrated natural acids buoy the forward presence of the wine. Finishes with great length, depth and persistence with a quiet verve. A compelling example of Durell. About Winery Kistler Vineyards is a small winery in the Russian River Valley specializing in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Founded in 1978 on the notion that compelling wines of site can and should be made in California. Kistler has been working with their own heritage selection of Chardonnay since the mid-1980s and is known the world over as a single clone Chardonnay house. They plant one heritage selection of Chardonnay across fifteen vineyards, giving rise to eleven vineyard designate Chardonnays. Similarly, Kistler produces four Pinot Noirs; each of these wines is crafted from the two small-clustered, low-yielding clones that were imported from a Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy, which they began propagating over 20 years ago. Geoff Labitzke, MW, is the National Director of Sales for Kistler Vineyards and will be our guide as we explore five distinct bottlings of Kistler’s highly sought-after wines.

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Winemaker Notes Sonoma Coast Durell Vineyard has been the source behind some of the most sought-after Chardonnay wines in California fortunate to work with two outstanding vineyard blocks that combine to make something special. This 2 lively and exotic with rich flavors, complexity and focus. We fermented in French oak barrels to produce an ex illustrates the balance and exceptional character of the vintage. About Winery Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 by two tennis friends, Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley, who shared a passion for great wine and tennis. They started with small bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon from exceptional vineyard sources. Over the years, Sojourn Cellars has grown into a boutique winery producing highly acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their hands-off winemaking style allows the character of the vineyard sites to shine through in the wines.

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Winemaker Notes The 2020 Chardonnay presents luscious aromas of pineapple, pear and Granny Smith apple with appealing hints of lemon chiffon, nectarine and honeysuckle. As the experience unfolds, the nose further reveals hints of star jasmine, nutmeg and vanilla bean. The palate is plush and graceful, offering mouthwatering flavors of peach, mango, kiwi and fresh Crenshaw melon. The rich fruit is perfectly complemented by suggestions of lemon zest and baking spice, while a voluptuous finish lingers with notes of pineapple, guava and hazelnut. About Winery In the golden, oak-studded hills of Paso Robles' fabled west side, not far from William Randolph Hearst's magnificent castle, there is a man with a Homeric vision. His name is Daniel Daou and he is devoting his life and every imaginable resource to creating, first and foremost, a Cabernet Sauvignon that rivals the very best in the world. Gracefully perched atop a stunning promontory at 2,200 feet, the DAOU Spanish Colonial style winery is embraced by a tangible serenity. Hawks wheel and bank while the all-day sun caresses close planted rows of lush, emerald green vines. The 100 percent calcareous soil makes no sound as it passes out nourishment and only a gentle breeze flows up through the Templeton Gap from the Pacific. The quiet is bewitching; you want to lay down roots here, just as the four-year-old vines have done. But the sense of peace belies the serious industry at work on this 100 acre estate. No effort is spared to create the luscious varietals and blends that flow from this limited production winery. This kind of synergy happens rarely: superlative climate and terroir, super intensive vineyard culture, and cutting edge viticultural practice. You're more likely to find it in Bordeaux than Central California. Coupled with the infectious passion and gracious, family style hospitality of the Daou brothers, Georges and Daniel, the result is pure magic. The kind of magic that comes in a bottle.

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Winemaker Notes The 2020 Heitz Cellar Quartz Creek Vineyard Chardonnay  having bright, vibrant, and elegant characteristics, with notes of Meyer Lemon, Hazelnut, and Calla Lily on the nose. The palate is tightly wound with impressive energy, refreshing, and pure, featuring notes of green and yellow apples, white peaches, and hints of chalk dust, acacia honey, and lightly browned toast. About Winery Heitz Cellar, founded in 1961 by Joe and Alice Heitz, is a historic Napa Valley winery known for its pioneering role in single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon production. Joe Heitz, mentored by André Tchelistcheff, helped elevate Napa's reputation and was the first to label a wine with a single vineyard name: Martha's Vineyard. In 2018, the Heitz family sold the winery to Gaylon Lawrence, marking a new chapter for the estate. 

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Winemaker Notes Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos showcases exceptional power, both in terms of its volume and intensity. While it may exhibit a shy character in its early years, it requires time, typica ly a minimum of 3 years, to fu ly unveil its true potential. Even after decades of aging, it continues to astonish with its remarkable freshness, making it a wine with an aging potential of up to twenty years. About Winery Burgundy - Appe lation: Chablis Grand Cru Dubbed as the golden gateway to Burgundy, the village of Chablis is a picturesque destination renowned for its prestigious wine. It is situated 20 km away from Auxerre. The vines of Grand Cru Les Clos, located on the right bank of the Serein river, were planted prior to 1267, they reveal a remarkable strength and breathtaking elegant wine. Within this terroir, several types of soil coexist, a l originating from the same Kimmeridgian terrain. The higher elevations feature stonier and more calcareous soils, while the lower parts have deeper and clayey compositions. The complex Kimmeridgian terroir contributes to the wine's powerful minerality. The vines are predominantly exposed to the west/southwest.

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Winemaker Notes We sourced our 2020 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay from three of the top vineyard sites in the Sonoma Coast – Sangiacomo, Durell, and Gap’s Crown – with the goal of creating a cuvée that showcases the varietal’s exceptional character across the Sonoma Coast appellation. These diverse vineyards produced light crops in 2020 due to drought conditions, with each vineyard offering layers of robust flavors. An expressive nose of stone fruit and apple leads to rich flavors and an intriguing mix of depth and vibrancy. Fermentation in 30% new French oak barrels adds rich texture and complex character. About Winery Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 by two tennis friends, Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley, who shared a passion for great wine and tennis. They started with small bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon from exceptional vineyard sources. Over the years, Sojourn Cellars has grown into a boutique winery producing highly acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their hands-off winemaking style allows the character of the vineyard sites to shine through in the wines.

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Winemaker Notes The 2021 Alpha Omega Chardonnay is straw yellow with hints of gold. Youthful aromas of golden delicious apple and stone fruit, accent notes of white flower, toasted cereal grains, French toast, honey and phyllo dough. An exciting core of melon, kumquat and lemon custard fruit mix with hints of hazelnut, nutmeg, maple candy and stony minerality. After whole cluster pressing, the Chardonnay Napa Valley 2021was barrel fermented in 100% French oak, 33% new barrels. Partial malolactic fermentation provides a richer and fuller aspect to the wine that was then aged in the same barrel composition for 19 months with periodic stirring of the lees. To soften the impact of oak and preserve freshness, the winemakers selected larger puncheons for 30% of the barrels. About Winery Established in 2006, Alpha Omega’s mission is to create artisanal wines drawing on Old World vineyard handcrafted practices and emphasis on unique terroir driven characteristics that reveal a sense of place combined with New World technology and science. The winery, located on the Rutherford Bench in the heart of Napa Valley, exudes the utmost experience of hospitality in an authentic place reflective of the Napa Valley farming community. Presenting world-class wines in a convivial setting remains just as paramount to vintners Robin and Michelle Baggett today as when they opened the winery’s doors on July 1, 2006. Alpha Omega boasts a picturesque setting, highlighted by views of its landmark water fountains and reflecting pond, stunning vineyards and the statuesque Mayacamas Mountains. The breathtaking scenery makes for the perfect backdrop to enjoy the handcrafted wines made with grapes from prized, historic vineyards by Alpha Omega’s talented winemaking team. A warm staff of well-trained wine educators, the postcard-worthy setting and the modern farm-style architecture of the winery on Napa Valley’s famous Highway 29, paired with beautiful wines was the intentional vision the Baggetts conceived when they toured the valley in 2005 searching for a property to purchase to open their first winery together. To create an estate comparable to the finest in the valley, the Baggetts took on the project in the same fashion that helped them achieve success in other fields — Robin as an attorney, grape grower and vintner in San Luis Obispo and Michelle as an international hotel interior designer later becoming a hospitality marketing and communication professional and branding whiz. Creating the brand name Alpha Omega in 2005 predestined their ambition to craft the ultimate winery experience from beginning to end. Today, Alpha Omega is honored that its estate is considered one of the top wineries in the region. When it came to building its brand, Alpha Omega spared no expense. There were no limits for the starry-eyed vintners who aimed to bring their vision to fruition. Several months into negotiations for the property, Sir Peter Newton of Newton Vineyards suggested to the Baggetts that they talk to his winemaker and assistant winemaker about joining their new winery project. This team together had excelled at making award-winning wines for Newton Vineyards in Napa Valley and left to do the same for Alpha Omega. The Baggetts’ relationships in the valley afforded them the opportunity to procure the best grapes from prized vineyards throughout the top AVAs of Napa Valley — most notably Thomas Vineyard in Rutherford, Beckstoffer To Kalon in Oakville, Beckstoffer Georges III in Rutherford, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane and Beckstoffer Las Piedras in St. Helena, Stagecoach in Atlas Peak, Drew Vineyard in Mount Veeder and Sunshine Valley in the Oak Knoll District.

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Winemaker Notes The 2021 Beaux Freres Willamette Valley Chardonnay is a wine of great precision, showing notions of key lime, passionfruit, paraffin wax, white raspberry, shiso leaf and lemon curd. About Winery Beaux Frères is the story of an uncommon encounter between the exceptional Willamette Valley, Oregon terroir and Founder Michael Etzel.While on vacation in 1986, Michael Etzel came upon an 88-acre pig farm for sale located on Ribbon Ridge in the Northern Willamette Valley, Yamhill County, Oregon. After some deliberation, Michael purchased the farm with his brother-in-law (“beaux frères”), Robert Parker, Jr. Since their first vintage in 1991, the Beaux Frères philosophy remains the same; to produce a world-class Pinot Noir from small, well-balanced yields and ripe, healthy fruit that represent the essence of the vineyard, while also using organic and biodynamic practices. Today, Beaux Frères is recognized as an exemplary Estate in Oregon.

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Winemaker Notes The 2021 Riverstone display enticing aromas of ripe orange, white peach, nectarine, cocoa, and baking spices. The rich texture and balance on the palate from barrel aging sur lie offers flavors of ripe Meyer lemon, citrus cream, hazelnut, and a hint of oak on the long finish. This versatile wine pairs with a wide variety of foods, including fresh seafood risotto, mussels in white wine sauce, roast chicken with apples, and holiday ham and turkey.  THE J LOHR STORY Fifty years ago, Jerry Lohr embarked on a career change. What followed would reshape the landscape of the California wine industry and create one of the country’s most popular wine brands. In the late 1960s, Jerry Lohr began an extensive investigation of California grape growing regions – searching for the ideal location for his first vineyard. Jerry was raised on a South Dakota farm; his agricultural roots armed him with an innate sense for the relationship between climate, soil, and location. His research and instincts led him to the Central Coast, an area just beginning to explore its potential for winegrowing. Four decades ago, the California Central Coast had not yet emerged as one of North America’s world-class winegrowing regions. With little history or viticultural precedent, planting on the Central Coast was a gamble. One of a handful of early pioneers, Jerry Lohr was among the first to realize the inherent potential of Monterey and Paso Robles for producing high quality grapes and superb wines. PIONEERING MONTEREY AND PASO ROBLES -JERRY LOHR LEGACY-It’s no coincidence that the Central Coast’s emergence as a world class winegrowing region runs parallel with the establishment and growth of J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery. Founder Jerry Lohr is one of the region’s pioneers and has played a larger-than-life role in bringing the area to prominence. Jerry’s instincts led him to two regions located about 75 miles apart. In the early 1970s, he chose Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco district for its cool, windy climate and rocky soils as ideal for Chardonnay. In the 1980s, he recognized the potential of Paso Robles for growing Bordeaux varietals, especially Cabernet Sauvignon – given the area’s rich soils and dramatic diurnal temperature swings between warm days and cool nights. After Jerry Lohr’s nearly decade-long search for the right place to plant his first vineyard, he chose a site in Monterey County that was to become the heart of the Arroyo Seco appellation. Jerry originally planted 280 acres in 1972 and 1973 near Greenfield. Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco appellation has proved ideal for growing layered, complex Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Brisk winds and fog off Monterey Bay, stony, well-drained soils, and a lack of damaging fall rains all combine to produce grapes with trademark fruit intensity and balancing acidity. In 1974, Jerry unveiled the first J. Lohr winery in San Jose. In the early 1980s, Jerry Lohr saw the potential for great Cabernet Sauvignon further south. Borrowing a lesson from the French—that great Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon excel in very different growing conditions—Jerry began planting Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties in San Luis Obispo County’s little-known Paso Robles region in 1986. With the hands-on devotion of an artisan farmer, Jerry tended to the vines while diligently working toward the creation and development of an adjacent winery and barreling cellars; J. Lohr’s Paso Robles production facility was opened in 1988.

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Winemaker Notes The 2021 Kongsgaard Chardonnay is described as a stellar, refined, and elegant wine. It showcases a harmonious blend of citrus and honeyed aromas with a vibrant, saline, and mineral finish. The wine exhibits a full-bodied and creamy texture with a long, lingering finish, featuring notes of lemon oil and wet stone. It is characterized by a bright acidity that balances the rich fruit flavors.  Kongsgaard Winery Kongsgaard Winery is a boutique, family-owned winery located in the heart of Napa Valley, California. Known for producing small amounts of highly acclaimed, world-class wines, the winery has gained a reputation for its exceptional Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignon, which reflect the rich terroir of Napa Valley.

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Winemaker Notes This wine comes from four separate plots on the Butteaux slopes, in the western part of the Montmains valley. They are the most distant from the winery, but only 2 km away. The clays here are compact and contain marl. The wines made from these vines express great complexity on the palate. These are wines of character, excellent for enthusiasts. About Winery Domaine Louis Michel has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century, with a deep connection to the Chablis wine region. The winery has been passed down through generations of the Michel family, and over time, it has become known for producing wines that truly express the unique terroir of Chablis. 19th Century Beginnings: The Michel family has been growing grapes in Chablis since at least the early 1800s. The family's roots in winemaking are long-established, and they became recognized for their dedication to crafting wines from the region's premier vineyard sites. After World War II, Domaine Louis Michel began to gain more recognition as a quality producer of Chablis wines. The family continued to focus on traditional winemaking methods, carefully nurturing their vineyards and establishing a reputation for producing wines with purity and expression of the Chablis terroir. During these decades, the estate significantly expanded its vineyard holdings in the Chablis region. The family acquired several prime vineyard plots in the Premier Cru and Grand Cru areas, strengthening its position as a leading producer in the region. Today, Domaine Louis Michel is run by Louis Michel's descendants, who have continued the tradition of quality winemaking. The estate places strong emphasis on organic viticulture and sustainable farming practices, which have become a hallmark of the domaine’s approach.

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Winemaker Notes Located on the right bank of the Serein, alongside the Grand Crus, Montée de Tonnerre is certainly the most prestigious and sought-after of the Chablis Premier Crus. The soil is at once deep, fertile and well drained. The well ventilated and south-west facing vines enjoy plenty of sunshine and produce a wine with sun-kissed aromas. This is the ultimate expression o f a successful partnership between soil and climate: powerful wines that are bot h complex and balanced. And it is sometimes said that Montée de Tonnerre should be the eight h Grand Cru! About Winery Domaine Louis Michel has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century, with a deep connection to the Chablis wine region. The winery has been passed down through generations of the Michel family, and over time, it has become known for producing wines that truly express the unique terroir of Chablis. 19th Century Beginnings: The Michel family has been growing grapes in Chablis since at least the early 1800s. The family's roots in winemaking are long-established, and they became recognized for their dedication to crafting wines from the region's premier vineyard sites. After World War II, Domaine Louis Michel began to gain more recognition as a quality producer of Chablis wines. The family continued to focus on traditional winemaking methods, carefully nurturing their vineyards and establishing a reputation for producing wines with purity and expression of the Chablis terroir. During these decades, the estate significantly expanded its vineyard holdings in the Chablis region. The family acquired several prime vineyard plots in the Premier Cru and Grand Cru areas, strengthening its position as a leading producer in the region. Today, Domaine Louis Michel is run by Louis Michel's descendants, who have continued the tradition of quality winemaking. The estate places strong emphasis on organic viticulture and sustainable farming practices, which have become a hallmark of the domaine’s approach.

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Winemaker Notes Located halfway up the slope in the heart of the appellation, the Domaine’s vineyards benefit from southern exposure and enjoy optimum sunshine. This results in wines with great power and complexity. When the monks of Pontigny began growing the first vines in this extraordinary place they were certainlynot mistaken! About Winery Domaine Louis Michel has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century, with a deep connection to the Chablis wine region. The winery has been passed down through generations of the Michel family, and over time, it has become known for producing wines that truly express the unique terroir of Chablis. 19th Century Beginnings: The Michel family has been growing grapes in Chablis since at least the early 1800s. The family's roots in winemaking are long-established, and they became recognized for their dedication to crafting wines from the region's premier vineyard sites. After World War II, Domaine Louis Michel began to gain more recognition as a quality producer of Chablis wines. The family continued to focus on traditional winemaking methods, carefully nurturing their vineyards and establishing a reputation for producing wines with purity and expression of the Chablis terroir. During these decades, the estate significantly expanded its vineyard holdings in the Chablis region. The family acquired several prime vineyard plots in the Premier Cru and Grand Cru areas, strengthening its position as a leading producer in the region. Today, Domaine Louis Michel is run by Louis Michel's descendants, who have continued the tradition of quality winemaking. The estate places strong emphasis on organic viticulture and sustainable farming practices, which have become a hallmark of the domaine’s approach.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes Each block was picked by hand at night, and firm, cool clusters were delivered to the winery before sunrise. We hand-sorted the clusters then transferred them into a bladder press. After gentle pressing, the juice settled for 24 hours before we carefully racked it to French oak barrels, 64% new. Native yeast slowly guided alcoholic fermentation, with measured batonnage until malolactic fermentation was complete. The wine aged sur lie for 15 months and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. About Winery Wayfarer is the manifestation of a remarkable place, masterful winemaking, and the drive to go to extremes to create something truly exceptional. After nearly 30 years as an acclaimed Napa Valley vintner, Jayson Pahlmeyer became increasingly entranced by the wines of Burgundy. “Every oenophile eventually gravitates to the wines of Burgundy,” he says. In the early 1990s, Jayson began seeking out the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards in the world. A close friend, legendary French wine importer Martine Saunier, had located two parcels for sale in Burgundy – Clos de la Roche, a Grand Cru Pinot Noir vineyard in Côte de Nuits Grand Cru, and Corton Vergennes, a Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyard in Corton. His winemaker, Helen Turley, was to make the wine with the hands-on assistance of the renowned Michel Niellon at his Chassagne-Montrachet winery. However, just after the papers were signed, the deal was nullified by an obscure Burgundian real estate clause that permitted last-minute alternative offers. Though these iconic vineyards faded from his dreams, Jayson knew that, eventually, the perfect site would present itself. He just didn’t realize it would be six years later in the remote hills of the Sonoma Coast at a small farm called Wayfarer.

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Winemaker Notes The 2022 DAOU Chardonnay displays a rich, ample nose of pineapple, vanilla bean, mango, hazelnut and nutmeg spice. Floral tones of honeysuckle and star jasmine are accented by sweet ginger and lemon zest. The palate is weighty and mouthfilling, delivering round, silky flavors of Bartlett pear, Crenshaw melon, kiwi and fresh pineapple. Notes of Golden Delicious apple and papaya are complemented with lemon cream pie and crushed almonds, while hints of white peach, citrus peel and cinnamon linger on a long, graceful finish.  About Winery In the golden, oak-studded hills of Paso Robles' fabled west side, not far from William Randolph Hearst's magnificent castle, there is a man with a Homeric vision. His name is Daniel Daou and he is devoting his life and every imaginable resource to creating, first and foremost, a Cabernet Sauvignon that rivals the very best in the world. Gracefully perched atop a stunning promontory at 2,200 feet, the DAOU Spanish Colonial style winery is embraced by a tangible serenity. Hawks wheel and bank while the all-day sun caresses close planted rows of lush, emerald green vines. The 100 percent calcareous soil makes no sound as it passes out nourishment and only a gentle breeze flows up through the Templeton Gap from the Pacific. The quiet is bewitching; you want to lay down roots here, just as the four-year-old vines have done. But the sense of peace belies the serious industry at work on this 100 acre estate. No effort is spared to create the luscious varietals and blends that flow from this limited production winery. This kind of synergy happens rarely: superlative climate and terroir, super intensive vineyard culture, and cutting edge viticultural practice. You're more likely to find it in Bordeaux than Central California. Coupled with the infectious passion and gracious, family style hospitality of the Daou brothers, Georges and Daniel, the result is pure magic. The kind of magic that comes in a bottle.

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Winemaker Notes The 2022 Domaine Pinson Frères Chablis Grand Cru is a remarkable wine, showcasing a blend of elegance and complexity. Twenty percent of the wine was fermented in new oak, while the rest was in tank. The nose exhibits a noticeable restraint, with the oak subtly integrated beneath the fruit and mineral notes About Winery Domaine Pinson Frères is one of the oldest family-run wineries in Chablis, with roots dating back to 1640. The winery is currently managed by Charlène Pinson and her father Laurent. They own 14 hectares of prime Chablis terroir, including holdings in six premier crus and the prestigious Grand Cru, Les Clos. Domaine Pinson is known for its commitment to organic farming practices, avoiding herbicides and pesticides to maintain the purity of their vineyards.

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Winemaker Notes The luminous bouquet of white peach, lemon cream, kumquat preserves, Bosc pear, honeydew, Granny Smith apple skin, lemon peel and chamomile is mouth-watering and compelling. Brilliant and juicy on the palate the Zellerbach Chardonnay exudes complementing notes of tangerine, green pear, pink grapefruit and lemon drops. About Winery Ambassador James D. Zellerbach founded Hanzell Vineyards in 1953 with a vision to create wines that could compete on the world stage.  Named after his wife Hana, Hanzell sits at the southern toe of the Mayacamas mountain range overlooking the south-western end of Sonoma Valley and San Pablo Bay.  After extensive time spent in Burgundy, Zellerbach returned inspired and educated by the region’s wines and grapes—Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  He then planted these two varieties at a time when there were less than a few hundred acres of each planted in North America.  Since 1975, Hanzell has been solely owned by the de Brye family, who is dedicated to the preservation of tradition with a progressive and holistic approach which will ensure the sustainability for generations to come.

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Winemaker Notes The nose is accented by Meyer lemon, yellow apple, and pear notes. Undertones of mint and greengage offer a layer of complexity while a hint of Meyer lemon pith contributes spiciness. The palate is round and unctuous owing to the well-developed tannin structure and moderate acid profile. Flavours of Meyer lemon and lemon curd envelope the palate. The older vines are blended with newer plantings of Calera and Wente clones, which brings terrific balance and is wonderfully nuanced and elegant. About Winery Like most good stories, the history of Williams Selyem owes much to serendipity. If a grower with an abundance of fruit hadn’t given Burt Williams a few tonnes of free grapes in the 1970s, Burt might never have discovered his love and flair for winemaking. And if Burt and his partner Ed Selyem had been able to afford the French Burgundies they both favoured, they might never have tried making their own pinot noir. The two friends didn’t set out to produce wines for anyone but themselves. And they surely never imagined that their humble experiment in home winemaking would spawn a cult-status winery of international acclaim. Together, Burt and Ed set a new standard for American-made pinot noir, and elevated Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley to among the best wine growing regions in the world. Now considered Russian River Valley royalty, Williams Selyem are responsible for some of the most sought-after handcrafted expressions of pinot noir across both the New World and Old.

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Winemaker Notes The 2022 Riverstone display enticing aromas of ripe orange, white peach, nectarine, cocoa, and baking spices. The rich texture and balance on the palate from barrel aging sur lie offers flavors of ripe Meyer lemon, citrus cream, hazelnut, and a hint of oak on the long finish. This versatile wine pairs with a wide variety of foods, including fresh seafood risotto, mussels in white wine sauce, roast chicken with apples, and holiday ham and turkey. THE J LOHR STORY Fifty years ago, Jerry Lohr embarked on a career change. What followed would reshape the landscape of the California wine industry and create one of the country’s most popular wine brands. In the late 1960s, Jerry Lohr began an extensive investigation of California grape growing regions – searching for the ideal location for his first vineyard. Jerry was raised on a South Dakota farm; his agricultural roots armed him with an innate sense for the relationship between climate, soil, and location. His research and instincts led him to the Central Coast, an area just beginning to explore its potential for winegrowing. Four decades ago, the California Central Coast had not yet emerged as one of North America’s world-class winegrowing regions. With little history or viticultural precedent, planting on the Central Coast was a gamble. One of a handful of early pioneers, Jerry Lohr was among the first to realize the inherent potential of Monterey and Paso Robles for producing high quality grapes and superb wines. PIONEERING MONTEREY AND PASO ROBLES -JERRY LOHR LEGACY-It’s no coincidence that the Central Coast’s emergence as a world class winegrowing region runs parallel with the establishment and growth of J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery. Founder Jerry Lohr is one of the region’s pioneers and has played a larger-than-life role in bringing the area to prominence. Jerry’s instincts led him to two regions located about 75 miles apart. In the early 1970s, he chose Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco district for its cool, windy climate and rocky soils as ideal for Chardonnay. In the 1980s, he recognized the potential of Paso Robles for growing Bordeaux varietals, especially Cabernet Sauvignon – given the area’s rich soils and dramatic diurnal temperature swings between warm days and cool nights. After Jerry Lohr’s nearly decade-long search for the right place to plant his first vineyard, he chose a site in Monterey County that was to become the heart of the Arroyo Seco appellation. Jerry originally planted 280 acres in 1972 and 1973 near Greenfield. Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco appellation has proved ideal for growing layered, complex Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Brisk winds and fog off Monterey Bay, stony, well-drained soils, and a lack of damaging fall rains all combine to produce grapes with trademark fruit intensity and balancing acidity. In 1974, Jerry unveiled the first J. Lohr winery in San Jose. In the early 1980s, Jerry Lohr saw the potential for great Cabernet Sauvignon further south. Borrowing a lesson from the French—that great Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon excel in very different growing conditions—Jerry began planting Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties in San Luis Obispo County’s little-known Paso Robles region in 1986. With the hands-on devotion of an artisan farmer, Jerry tended to the vines while diligently working toward the creation and development of an adjacent winery and barreling cellars; J. Lohr’s Paso Robles production facility was opened in 1988.

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Winemaker Notes This powerful wine with ripe aromas calls for similar dishes: sole fried in butter with almonds, Bresse chicken with truffle and foie gras, rosé fried veal kidneys with 'moutarde à l'ancienne' cream sauce, turbot or brill with a creamy butter/white wine sauce, monkfish ham with beurre blanc, lobster with vanilla butter About Winery Kistler Vineyards is a small winery in the Russian River Valley specializing in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Founded in 1978 on the notion that compelling wines of site can and should be made in California. Kistler has been working with their own heritage selection of Chardonnay since the mid-1980s and is known the world over as a single clone Chardonnay house. They plant one heritage selection of Chardonnay across fifteen vineyards, giving rise to eleven vineyard designate Chardonnays. Similarly, Kistler produces four Pinot Noirs; each of these wines is crafted from the two small-clustered, low-yielding clones that were imported from a Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy, which they began propagating over 20 years ago. Geoff Labitzke, MW, is the National Director of Sales for Kistler Vineyards and will be our guide as we explore five distinct bottlings of Kistler’s highly sought-after wines.

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Winemaker Notes The small clusters of the 2022 vintage allowed us to make Chardonnays with appealing intensity, balance, and nuance. Our Sonoma Coast Chardonnay showcases three of the top vineyards in the region – Sangiacomo, Durell, and Gap’s Crown – with the goal of creating a cuvée that illustrates the varietal’s exceptional character across the region. We picked and fermented each component of this blend separately and aged them all for 11 months in 30% new French oak barrels. The resulting blend offers compelling new world aromas with fresh acidity and focus, reminiscent of the old world. About Winery Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 by two tennis friends, Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley, who shared a passion for great wine and tennis. They started with small bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon from exceptional vineyard sources. Over the years, Sojourn Cellars has grown into a boutique winery producing highly acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their hands-off winemaking style allows the character of the vineyard sites to shine through in the wines.

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