I told myself I wasn’t buying any more wine this year. Then Scott’s email hits my inbox.
Halćon/Hawks Butte Syrah? F-yeah.
In for a mixed case.
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How good it feels to finally be getting though this most turbulent harvest season and sitting down to write to all of you. 2020 has been harrowing in so many ways - I am not sure how much more you can stack on top. We sincerely hope this note finds you as best as you can be, it has been a challenge to say the least. With harvest now in our proverbial rear view, we can finally reflect upon what we have all been through. For us here in California, we endured the worst fire season in state history. Heat waves struck early, mixed with lightning storms and heavy winds, creating the literal ‘perfect storm’ to rip fires across most of the state. Mass evacuations, dear friends lost homes, wineries burned down, vineyards ruined by smoke, shuttered businesses; all this on top of Covid and the other handicaps of 2020. This was without a doubt, far and away, the most challenging harvest we have ever done. This is not a “woe is me” story either, quite the contrary. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but in the end a few things kept us going- perseverance, resilience, and optimism. The realization that when the dust settles, we are still safe, have our lives and each other. And we actually made some pretty killer 2020’s despite all the odds against us.
We have some stories to tell but will save those for later, for now we want to focus on the obvious, we need change- desperately. So many actions are needed to mitigate the woes of global warming, the harms of deregulation and rapacious policy, the error of not taking care of our mother earth when she so violently lets us know it’s in need. The only place to start is to vote, and vote like your life depends on it- because it undeniably does. It’s a big beautiful world out there with 7 plus billion beautiful people on it, and we need to protect it as much as we can. We are already in perilous standing in many places so now is the time, we are literally all in this together. Please vote for change, we can and will do better.
That all being said we are hoping that these new wines offer some good news in a time when people need it most. It’s finally time to share yet another vintage that we have hand-made, cared for and agonized over. It’s a scary thing, still and every time. And we couldn’t be more proud or excited to share these new and special wines with you.
*As always, we need to put in a very special note about the amazing talents of artist Kate Scott who’s breathtaking work continues and captivates this year’s series. I think we have received more compliments about the labels this year than maybe any other vintage to date. Mother nature can be a beast, but Kate captures the absolute beauty that is so profound, necessary, and worth preserving. You can learn more about her below. Support art and artists directly! About — Kate Scott Studio
Thank you dearly, we hugely and humbly appreciate your support.
*Please read the fine print at the bottom, sometimes there can be some pretty important info hidden down there 
JOLIE-LAIDE FALL RELEASE WINES
– CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR ALLOCATION & PURCHASE –
2018
GRENACHE
PROVISOR VINEYARD
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Provisor Vineyard is a storybook site just outside the town of Healdsburg. The Provisors organically farm just 3 estate acres and we are wildly excited to be one of the few who gets to share in the fruits of their labors. Tablas Creek clone Grenache revels in the strikingly red gravely clay loam soils and warm days and cool nights of its Dry Creek home. The grapes are all crushed by foot and fermented whole cluster, with nothing more than gentle punchdowns throughout. Pressed to old, neutral French oak barrique for a 10-month elevage, capturing and preserving the delicate and expressive nature. The resulting wine is elegant and graceful; super fresh and bright, high tone wild red raspberry and strawberry fruit ballasted by licorice, cinnamon and spice. Whole cluster stem inclusion adds soft, textural tannin with subtle yet nuanced fall earth tones.
2018
GRENACHE/SYRAH/MOURVÈDRE
SHAKE RIDGE VINEYARD
AMADOR COUNTY
Shake Ridge is an undulating and diverse 46-acre vineyard nestled about 1750ft. up in the Sierra foothills, planted, cared for and meticulously farmed by the legendary Ann Kraemer. Each little parcel has a different slope, aspect and soil profile creating many unique microclimates within the same vineyard. We worked closely with Ann to identify specific blocks in which we could capture and express the terroir and totality of this special place in one idiosyncratic wine. All picked together and co-fermented whole cluster, because, the whole is more than the sum. Raspberry scented Grenache, briny olive and peppered Syrah, violety garrigue laden Mourvèdre with citrus flower and lilac perfumed Viognier all coalesce into one ambrosial exultance.
2018
SYRAH
NORTH COAST
A blend of two Yorkville Highlands vineyard sites, the rugged high elevation Halcon Vineyard (see below) and the equally compelling Hawks Butte Vineyard which sits at 1200 ft. with rocky, south facing slopes. The grapes are all crushed by foot and fermented whole cluster, with nothing more than gentle punchdowns throughout. Pressed to old, neutral French oak barrique for a 10 month elevage, capturing and preserving the delicate and expressive nature. Hawks Butte adds slightly more density and fruit while still wildly fresh with lithe tannin and Halcon compliments with brooding structure, wet earth, camphor and cedar.
2018
SYRAH
HALCON VINEYARD
YORKVILLE HIGHLANDS
Halcon is an extraordinary, rocky site at 2500 ft in the Yorkville Highlands. High elevation, cold coastal breezes, extreme low vigor soils and dense plantings converge to grow a enigmatic style of Syrah mostly unknown in California. Dramatic conditions constrict the sugar accumulation meaning we pick later but at a lower brix level- preserving natural acidity. The grapes are all crushed by foot and fermented whole cluster, with nothing more than gentle punchdowns throughout. Pressed to old, neutral French oak barrique for a 10-month elevage, capturing and preserving the delicate and expressive nature. Light on its feet, ebulliently perfumed and spiced full of all the things we adore about Syrah- lavender, violet, olive, peppercorn and graphite.
** SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE WINES FROM THE SPRING WILL BE AVAILABLE AS WELL! CLICK AWAY!
VIEW AND PURCHASE WINES
** As a reminder, this email has individualized links embedded to your personal account with us and is best not shared with others.
** SHIPPING: You have 5 shipping dates to choose from upon checkout: October 28, November 3, November 10, November 17 or December 1. Custom ship-dates are also available, please let us know ASAP.
** Once again we will be offering FREE SHIPPING for a full 12 bottle case or more. Times are tough and we know it, we’re here to help. Get more wine for less with complimentary shipping, stock up and enjoy.
** DELIVERY: We will be making complimentary (and contactless) deliveries to North Bay residents starting mid November, if delivery is preferred we will reach out confirming what day we will be in your area. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces;)
** PICKUP: If you would prefer to pick up your wines we can make them available for you with advance notice at our shared winery space in Sebastopol. Already buying wines from one of our amazing roommates? Pax, Jolie-Laide, Martha Stouman, Monte Rio, Raen, Jaimee Motley and Emme are all housed in the same space, pick them all up together!