Bounding into Spring with Big News

Our Spring Release Opens February 3rd

Sangiacomo Vineyard, Harvest 2023

I’ve got so much to share! With big surprises in store, this release feels especially buzzy and dynamic. Of course, our spring release always includes beloved fan favorites, like the 2024 rose of pinot noir and the ever-elegant ’23 Sangiacomo. But stay tuned for a big announcement, another inaugural release, coming right on the heels of Nightwing.

Nightwing Vineyard Petaluma Gap

Maybe you’ve heard the News

Critics, winegrowers, winemakers, and media marketers are hailing 2023 as the Vintage of the Decade. No- the Vintage of the Century! No- the Vintage of the Millennia! Predictions of this magnitude give me angina, since hyperbole is just that, an over-blown declaration. Still…I’ll share some inside baseball. I think the 2023’s are as delicious as they are cellar worthy. With intense color, concentrated flavor, and structured for aging, the ‘23’s will not disappoint. But, of course, I’m biased.

Pinot Noir at Nightwing Vineyard

Trust a Professional Palate

The reviews are in (kinda). Unfortunately, I don’t have any scores to share just yet. But I have clues. A reviewer who recently tasted the 2023 Nightwing was blown away, saying he loves my 2023 even more than the inaugural 2022 vintage (which swept up 94, 93, and 90 points right out of the gate). Like how does it get better than that?! More importantly, because of you, Nightwing Vineyard PN became the sleeper-hit-fan-fave of 2022. She routinely shines in my lineup of wines, beckoning guests back to the tasting room to buy “one more bottle.” (And then one more after that!). To be honest, your palate is more impactful than a score, because when a wine moves you, you tell me about it. Thank you for sending me amazing emails, social media shout outs, and bottle shots of your favorite wine moments and food/wine pairings.  Thank you for embracing (and loving!) a new vineyard on a leap of faith. I can’t wait to share Nightwing Vineyard’s evolution with you.

Here's the hot-take news (a.k.a. “The Reveal”)

Baby, I’m back- in Anderson Valley. Not only am I back but also I’m back in the MOST iconic vineyard in the valley: Ferrington. A dedicated Anderson Valley blog post is forthcoming. But to whet your palate, consider this: Planted in the 1970’s, Ferrington shines as Anderson Valley’s ultimate legacy vineyard, coveted for its deeply flavored fruit, complexity, richness, and elegance married to lively acidity. These vines are among the first to be planted there. Suffice to say, I am overjoyed to play with this fruit and share it with you. The 2023 Ferrington is a knock-out. Aforesaid critic also tasted my inaugural 2023 Ferrington, which left him speechless (possibly because he was occupied swishing/spitting wine). On the spot, he promised me my highest score yet. Wowza! Good things are coming.

Welcome to the Anderson Valley, Gateway to Goodness

“Something’s Coming, Something Good – If I can Wait”

Here’s the good news. Go ahead and uncork that rose. It smells divine and balances smooth edges with zippy lift. She’s delish, with most foods (perhaps not steak with bernaise but possibly steak tartare). And if you haven’t heard me rave about rose + soup, here’s the pitch: consider rose with soup. It sounds unconventional. But it’s unexpectedly fantastic. Try uncorking my rose alongside Ali Slagle’s Thai Inspired Chicken Meatball Soup (recipe NYT). Chicken meatballs are light enough to pair with rose, and the aromatic, luscious coconut milk broth tastes extra silky against crisp rose. It’s a 1+1=3 pairing. Plus, it’s an excuse to taste the 2024 rose BEFORE spring has sprung into warmer weather.

Rose of Pinot Noir, 2024

Hey, you win

This release has something for everyone: new vines (Nightwing), old vines (Ferrington), beloved rose and a veteran Bruliam stalwart (Sangiacomo). When I explore new vineyards and new opportunities, your palate wins. What a fun contrast of flavors, comparing the exuberant fruit of Nightwing’s youthful sloping vines to the depth of Ferrington’s seasoned valley floor fruit. You now have permission to start flipping through your favorite cookbooks and recipe websites for dinnertime inspiration.

Here’s the “if-I-can-wait” news

When critics invited me to start showing my 2023’s, my gut response was, “Wait? Whoa! Huh? 2023’s? Already?” I bottled the 2023’s in late July. Fewer than 8 months have elapsed. These wines are just born chicks. These wines need time. These wines are so cellar-worthy and totally will go the distance. So why open them now? Given your 23’s the gift of rest and time.

Duh, It's the Vintage

Let’s recap the vintage. 2023 was a cool, late vintage with a long growing season and a long hang time. We winemakers love that. We get loads of flavor development at lower brix. We get uber-developed tannins with rich texture and awesome color. These wines have so much to offer! But not yet. They are still tightly wound, coiled springs bursting with verve and tension that will relax and unfurl with time. And here’s one last tip from the pros. The VBWC (that’s an acronym for “Very Big Wig Critic”) who recently tasted through my ’23’s invited me (& most of my colleagues) to re-send him the same wines in 2-3 months to re-taste. Even VBWC (sheepishly) admitted he jumped the gun and started uncorking the vintage too soon. But hey, who can blame him? Who isn’t excited about the Vintage of the Millenia.

Is it ripe yet? The 2023 vintage required patience. Lots and lots of patience.

Here's what’s offered in the 2025 Spring Release

The Lineup (+ rose, still in tank at time of publication…)

2024 Rose of Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

2023 Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard Pinot Noir (Petaluma Gap)

2023 Nightwing Vineyard Pinot Noir (Petaluma Gap)

2023 Ferrington Vineyard Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)

Feeling Wistful?

Are you like U2, “stuck in a vintage & you can’t get out of it?”  Teeny amounts of library wines are available. Shoot us an email so we can comb through inventory. We also have moderate-ish (+/-) inventory of select 2022’s. Except Sangiacomo. If you wanted more 2022 Sangiacomo Roberts Road, it’s legit sold out. But we can fulfill other 2022 asks. We love to hear from you and love to fulfill wish-list requests. Please reach out!

The “OG” Torrey Hill label, 2012

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