California, United States of America
Our Producers
Aperture Cellars & Devil Proof Vine- yards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma
Aperture & Devil Proof in Alexander Valley is a collaborative project between photographer Andy Katz and his son, renowned winemaker Jesse Katz. Andy brought Jesse to the mostfamous vineyards on earth, from the heart of Burgundy to the hills of Tuscany, to learn what it takes to make world-class wine. Barely a decade later, Jesse is now one of the most exciting and accomplished winemakers in the world, recently gracing the cover of Wine Enthusiast as a rising young star who is doing nothing less than “changing the way the world drinks.” In 2014, at the age of 29, he was named one of Forbes’ 30 under 30, mainly because he had memorably managed to grow the Lancaster’s Roth brand by more than 800% in only five years. Even though Jesse Katz is not yet as well known in Europe as in the US, there is no doubt that it is only a matter of time.
Famous quotes about his Devil Proof Malbec :
“This may be the finest Malbec I have ever tasted from California.” — Robert Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
“Jesse Katz is one of our favourite winemakers. His Devil Proof Malbec proves yet again that he makes the most delicious cult wines in the industry.” — Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake.
Tyler Winery, Santa Barbara County
Tyler is dedicated to producing wines of delicacy and balance, where structure and nuance are favored above all else. The focus is exclusively on exceptional vineyard sites throughout the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley within Santa Barbara County. Within these two appellations, the unique combination of marine-based soils, transverse ranges and valleys, and cool ocean influence make this a truly wonderful place for growing pinot noir and chardonnay. Proprietor and winemaker Justin Willett’s inspiration has come from local winemakers and European producers such as Roulot, Bonneau du Martray, Dujac, Bachelet and Rousseau. Great effort has been made not only to seek out vineyards of pedigree, but also to seek out vines with age, and Tyler now works with a number of the oldest vineyard blocks in the County. Justin collaborates closely with each of his growers and practises focused, minimal handling of fruit and wine.
Lieu Dit Winery, Santa Barbara County
Lieu Dit is a partnership of long-time friends Eric Railsback and Justin Willett. The two met in Santa Barbara while Eric was finishing college and Justin was just beginning his career in winemaking. The two were among a small group of young winemakers and restaurateurs in Santa Barbara unified by a common interest in wine and all its mysteries. After countless bottles shared together and many trips to France, Railsback and Willett decided to found Lieu Dit
in 2011 and focus it solely in the varieties indigenous to the Loire Valley, now grown in Santa Barbara County. The varied micro-climates and marine based soils of Santa Barbara County are ideally suited to this set of grapes. Lieu Dit centres on Sauvignon Blanc and more limited bottlings of Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Rose and produces around 2500 cases annually. Each vintage, the quest for purity, elegance, and balance in every wine is paramount.
Waits-Mast, Mendocino
Waits-Mast was founded by Brian Mast and Jennifer Waits in 2005. Before starting to make wine, they were passionate wine consumers, spending many of their weekends exploring small wineries all over California and further afield in France, Switzerland and New Zealand. After attending the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival, they decided to take their love for pinot noir to a new level. In 2005 they crafted their first barrel of pinot noir, which has been their favourite varietal because of its nuances, complexity and its ability take on the personality and traits of each individual vineyard and site. By 2007 they launched Waits-Mast Family Cellars as a small, yet focused commercial brand that cemented their shift from wine geeks to winemakers. Starting with the 2012 vintage, they began concentrating their efforts even further, by emphasising wines from the Northern California appellations of Anderson Valley, Mendocino Ridge, and Mendocino County. Waits-Mast Family Cellars produces small lots – of 50 or 100 cases – of single-vineyard pinot noir from small, independent growers in Anderson Valley, Mendocino County and Mendocino Ridge.
Aequorea and Aaron Wines, Paso Robles
Aaron began in 2002 with a focus on producing powerful, age-worthy wines from the rugged hillsides of westside Paso Robles. Always seeking to veer from the norm, they chose Petite Sirah as the canvas for creating their wines, committing themselves to one of California’s greatest grapes. Utilizing vineyards from the most amazing sites their boots could find, they source intense yet balanced fruit from the Willow Creek, Adelaide, and Templeton Gap districts. From these sites they coax this massively structured varietal (along with Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah) into a portfolio of cuvees that evoke the best expression of Petite Sirah and the terroir of westside Paso Robles.
Aequorea (Latin for ‘of the sea’) began as a pilgrimage out to the westward side of the Santa Lucia Mountains and the coastal plains, into vineyards farther west than any other sites on the Central Coast. Winemaker Aaron Jackson works closely with growers who possess a shared passion for farming sites this close to the Pacific Ocean, focussing on single-vineyard Pinot Noir and aromatic whites, producing wines that show their terroir and the extremity of where they lie. All of the vineyards are no more than 6 miles from the ocean, blanketed by a thick marine layer in the summer, which recedes each afternoon as the cool breezes arrive off the Pacific. The winemaking follows the same path as that employed in the vineyards – to let the land and fruit speak for itself, with only subtle application of the human hand used to guide the process along the way.
Quivira Vineyards, Sonoma County
Quivira was founded in 1981 by Holly and Henry Wendt, who were drawn to Dry Creek Valley’s unspoiled rural character and rich history of wine grape growing that is among the longest in California. The Wendt’s collection of ancient maps provided the inspiration for the winery’s name; one of these maps from the 16th century shows the mythical lands of Quivira in what is now known as Sonoma County. In 2006, current owners Pete and Terri Kight purchased Quivira from the Wendts. The Kights, being internationally committed wine industry proprietors, own three other world-renowned, award-winning wine labels, including Torbreck Vintners Ltd. in Australia and Escarpment in New Zealand.
Quivira Vineyards is a CCOF-certified winery estate winery in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County. Known for highly rated estate Sauvignon Blancs and Zinfandels, Quivira operates a lush organically farmed garden including 100 raised beds with exceptional heritage cultivars designed to engage and educate visitors and promote biodiversity. Proud to be a leader in sustainability in the wine industry, a half-acre compost pile drives the ever-increasing health of Quivira’s vineyard soil while reducing water requirements, and the winery is powered by a 55kw solar installation.
La Follette Wines, Sonoma County
La Follette Wines began operations in 2008 and was officially launched in 2010.
The winery, which takes its name from the founding winemaker, Greg La Follette, makes small-lot Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that embody the essence of the region, the individuality of the vineyard, and the intention of the winemaker. They work closely with family winegrowing partners, giving voice to each vineyard in every wine crafted.
For the past fifty years, Greg La Follette has plied his trade as a world-class winemaker and has been responsible for wine entities such as Flowers, Alquimista, Steelhead, and Tandem to name a few. He has also been named Winemaker of the Year and tagged as the ‘Prince of Pinot’ by the website of the same name.
The illustration on the La Follette label was found in a rare first-edition French viticulture manual published in 1847, covering the latest methods of winegrowing while also championing traditional techniques. The mix of old and new is a viewpoint that resonates with the La Follette winemaking team.
Aperture Cellars & Devil Proof Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma
Aperture Alexander Valley Right Bank Blend, Sonoma County, 2018/2020 75cl – $155 ex GST
Aperture Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, 2020 75cl – $175 ex GST
Aperture Cabernet Sauvignon “Oliver Ranch Vineyard”, Sonoma County, 2018 75cl – $260 ex GST
Aperture Cabernet Sauvignon “Del Rio Ranch Vineyard”, Sonoma County, 2018 75cl – $260 ex GST
Aperture Cabernet Sauvignon “SJ Ranch Vineyard”, Sonoma County, 2018 75cl – $260 ex GST
Devil Proof Vineyards Malbec, Farrow Ranch, Alexander Valley, 2012 75cl – $578 ex GST
Aperture Alexander Valley Chenin Blanc, Sonoma County, 2021 75cl – $85 ex GST
Aperture Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, 2021 75cl – $115 ex GST
Tyler Winery, Santa Barbara County
Bentrock Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills, 2012/2014 75cl – $130 ex GST
“La Rinconada” Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills, 2014 75cl – $178 ex GST
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills, 2014 75cl – $178 ex GST
Bien Nacido W Block Chardonnay, 2014 75cl – $118 ex GST
Dierberg Vineyard Chardonnay, 2014 75cl – $118 ex GST
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay, 2014 75cl – $178 ex GST
Lieu Dit Winery, Santa Barbara County
Cabernet Franc Santa Ynez Valley, California, USA , 2019/2022 75cl – $85 ex GST
Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley, California, USA, 2019 75cl –$75 ex GST
Chenin Blanc Santa Ynez Valley, California, USA, 2021 75cl — $75 ex GST
Waits-Mast, Mendocino
Mariah Vineyard, Mendocino Ridge, Pinot Noir, 2013 75cl – $85 ex GST
Oppenlander Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2014/2015 75cl – $130 ex GST
Wentzel Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2012/2013 75cl – $130 ex GST
Nash Mill Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2016 – S$120 ex GST
Roma’s Vineyard, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir 2019 – S$130 ex GST
Deer Meadows Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California, USA, 2015 75cl – $145 ex GST
Aequorea and Aaron Wines, Paso Robles
Aequorea Seafarer Pinot Noir, 2021 75cl – $110 ex GST
Petite Sirah, 2020 75cl – $120 ex GST
Trespasser (Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache), 2020 75cl – $120 ex GST
Aequorea Wines, Derby West Vineyard, 2014 – $120 ex GST
Aequorea Spanish Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2021 75cl – $125 ex GST
Mauka (48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Petite Sirah, 12% Petit Verdot) 2020– $125 ex GST
Citizen (60% Syrah, 40% Petite Sirah) 2020– $125 ex GST
Aequorea Derby West Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2014 75cl – $120 ex GST
Aequorea Spanish Springs Vineyard Viognier, 2021 75cl – $120 ex GST
Quivira Vineyards, Sonoma County
Quivira Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, 2020 75cl – $65 ex GST
Quivira Dry Creek Zinfandel, 2018 – $85 ex GST
Quivira Anderson Ranch Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley, 2018 -$115 ex GST
Quivira Black Boar Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley, 2018 – $125 ex GST
La Follette Wines, Sonoma County
La Follette Heintz Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, 2018 75cl – $140 ex GST
La Follette Sun Chase Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, 2018 75cl – $145 ex GST