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2024

DeLoach Vineyards

Lot #12: '50 Years of Heritage' Maffei Vineyard Zinfandel

TASTING NOTE: Lot #12. Barrel Sample: As velvety as DeLoach owner Jean-Charles Boisset’s jacket and as suave as his quick wit. Super fragrant red berry fruit and vanilla spice aromas lead into a palate marked by juicy acid tension, pure fruit expression, and velvety-textured tannins. Hints of dark cocoa nibs emerge on the long finish. Brimming with the freshness and verve of the Russian River Valley! From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE: The 2024 vintage celebrates “50 Years of Heritage” at DeLoach Vineyards, a milestone that honors the winery’s deep-rooted legacy. When DeLoach first began, its estate was planted with Old Vine Zinfandel—a tradition that continues today with this exceptional Old Vine Zinfandel from the historic Maffei Vineyard, just a stone’s throw from the estate. In 1970, founders Cecil and Christine DeLoach purchased 24 acres of Old Vine Zinfandel on what is now the DeLoach estate, nestled on the renowned Olivet Bench. Nearby, the Maffei Vineyard—registered by the Historic Vineyard Society—shares a rich lineage of old-vine cultivation. Planted in 1928 by Umberto and Maria Maffei, these gnarly, head-trained vines are now stewarded by their granddaughter, Joanne Maffei, ensuring their continued legacy of producing world-class fruit. This Old Vine Zinfandel opens with captivating aromas of black cherry, elderberry, and warm baking spices. The palate unfolds with layers of blackberry, raspberry, and baked fruit, accented by a whisper of tobacco. Robust tannins, balanced acidity, and seamless integration create a rich, lingering finish—paying homage to the time-honored heritage of DeLoach Vineyards. WINEMAKER(S): Brian Maloney ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: March 2026 ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: June 2026 National Distribution: Includes all 50 states and Washington, DC International Distribution: Please inquire for more information.

2024

Dutcher Crossing

Sauvignon Blanc

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Russian River Valley was fermented for four months in a mix of 15% new French oak, 29% neutral barrel, and 56% stainless steel. Exotic aromas of lychee, white peach, and a hint of vanilla create an enticing bouquet, while the more restrained palate reveals underripe pineapple, lemon, and lime. Bright, citrus-driven acidity and a chalky mineral edge give the wine tension and focus from start to finish. Debra Mathay purchased Dutcher Crossing in 2007, and it now produces more than thirty wines from Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties, farming 75 acres of estate vineyards.

2024

Innumero

Barrel Select 'Family Reserve' Pinot Noir

This is 100% Pommard from Bootlegger’s Hill — a robust, rich, and powerful Pinot Noir with classic Pommard character. Darker blue and black fruits lead the way, supported by elegant cedarwood notes and a full-bodied richness that builds across the velvety palate. There’s excellent energy and tension here, balancing the inherently richer nature of the Pommard clone, with a broad-shouldered tannin profile that signals real aging potential. Definitely one for the cellar.

2024

Innumero

Ellen Lane Vineyard Chardonnay

Ellen Lane Vineyard is surrounded by forest, and the wine from this site shows a richer, rounder profile — toasty oak spices, ripe orchard and stone fruits, and a creamy generosity. Juicy, ripe pear and white-floral notes carry through on the finish. Entirely Hudson clone. Sheree and Brian Thornsberry are the co-founders who launched the brand in 2021, sourcing fruit from prime sites throughout the Russian River Valley. Both come from finance backgrounds, and their focus is on single-vineyard, single-clone bottlings. They hired Ashley Herzberg as winemaker from day one; she also makes wine for the Bacigalupi family, CAST, and Amista. Sheree tells me that she and her husband have traveled to wine regions around the world and fell in love with the lifestyle. Innumero is Latin for “above and beyond the number.” They produce just under 1,000 cases annually. The wines are sold almost entirely DTC, with a handful of placements in Healdsburg restaurants.

2024

J Vineyards & Winery

Lot #32. 'Decennial' Sparkling Wine - Chardonnay, Multi-Vintage Blend (2014-2024)

TASTING NOTE: Lot #32. Barrel Sample: OMG, yum. Are we in Champagne? Absolutely not. But does this wine make a strong case that J Vineyards can produce serious bubbly—serious enough to fool most WSET Level 3 students into thinking it’s the real thing? Absolutely. Bright biscuit and baking spice aromatics lead into a rich, building mousse layered with chalky minerality, toasted almond, and French pastry. Dosage is 5.5 g/L. Exceptionally well built, deeply pleasing, and poised to age gracefully for at least a decade. From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE: “Decennial” represents the essence of a decade’s worth of vintages, skillfully blended to create the perfect dosage for this wine. For this special bottling, the 2015 vintage Blanc de Blancs was enhanced with a dosage blend of 10 years of vintage Blanc de Blancs from the winery’s library. The blend of wines, ranging from 2014 to 2024, beautifully complements the 2015 vintage and highlights the unique characteristics brought by age and singularity. Each sip captures the unique characteristics and complexities of ten years of winemaking excellence. J Vineyards & Winery was founded by Judy Jordan as a sparkling wine house in 1986, one of the first to focus on the incredible fruit grown in the Russian River Valley. The winery adheres closely to the traditional method process, but the winery’s style and vineyard sites give their sparkling wines a modern California perspective. “Decennial” showcases the exquisite depth and quality of sparkling Russian River Valley Chardonnay. A bead of fine bubbles rises to form a lively, delicate mousse, lifting aromas of fresh green apple and orange blossom from the glass. Notes of Asian pear, nectarine and lemon curd evolve on the palate to richer, more savory baked apple pie and toasted pine nut characteristics. Beautifully crisp and dry, it finishes with bright, refreshing hints of sea spray. WINEMAKER(S): Laura Fontaine, Nicole Hitchcock ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: December 2025 ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: June 2026 National Distribution: Includes all 50 states and Washington, DC

2024

Jax Vineyards

Sebastopol Vineyard Dutton Ranch Chardonnay

From the Sebastopol Vineyard. Fermented in barrel with 40% new French oak and partial malolactic fermentation; five barrels produced. The wine is light and bright, full of crunchy orchard-fruit character — white peach and apricot — with great mid-palate richness and a chalky mineral note that lingers on the lengthy finish.

2024

Kobler Estate Winery

Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay

The use of a white Burgundy yeast helps to bring out more crème brûlée notes. Fermented in barrel and aged sur lie with bâtonnage for 10 months in 25% new French oak. The wine is rich, with a buttery profile and notes of banana panna cotta and pineapple on the nose, along with vanilla, butterscotch, and candied ginger spice. Lemon-oil richness adds to the silky, buttery texture. And while it’s undeniably opulent, it still carries some brighter fruit on the palate to keep it lifted.

2024

Kokomo

Peters Vineyard Chardonnay

There’s a lot to love in this Chardonnay—it’s both generous in fruit and spice yet focused and racy on the palate, the best of both worlds for this variety. Rich lemon, lemon oil, and sea salt combine with a fleshy texture balanced by saline-driven acidity that sharpens the focus and brings tension. The finish deepens with sweet oak spice and candied lemon peel. Quite the compelling sipper from these folks. Owner and Winemaker Erik Miller founded Kokomo Winery in 2004 (named after his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana). Miller partnered with fourth-generation grower Randy Peters to craft wines from the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys.

2024

Landmark Vineyards

Pinot Gris

The 2024 Pinot Gris is sourced entirely from the winery’s Hop Kiln Estate Vineyard on Westside Road. Whole-cluster-pressed and cold-fermented in stainless steel, it bursts forth with tropical fruit notes of white peach and lychee, while a creamier mid-palate brings balance to the chalky mineral finish.

2024

Laurel Glen

Blanc Slate Hopkins Ranch Sauvignon Blanc

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from Hopkins River Ranch in the Russian River Valley and spent its entire life fermenting and aging in stainless steel—until you came along, poured it into your glass, and let it shine. It reveals fresh, crunchy orchard fruit, a squeeze of lemony citrus, and freshly picked white flowers, all carried by a zippy acid profile. The finish shows chalky minerality and warmer tropical and stone fruit tones that beautifully balance the crunchy Gravenstein apple character. Originally planted with 2 acres of Cabernet in 1968, Laurel Glen Vineyard was has been owned by Bettina Sichel since 2011. Organic farming is handled by Phil Cottuiri, with winemaker Randall Watkins leading the cellar.

2024

Longboard Vineyards

Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay

Longboard’s 2024 Russian River Valley Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay is 100% Clone 76, native fermented, and aged on the lees for six months before being bottled unfined. It opens with a wonderfully rich nose of lemon oil, anise, and tarragon, layered with smoky, toasty oak spice. Full-bodied and deeply flavored, it’s packed with charred pineapple, apricot, and lemon curd, showing impressive depth and concentration. Bold and unapologetically rich, it lingers with a savory, spiced finish.

2024

Twomey

Lot #42. 'Harmony in Heritage' Last Stop Vineyard Pinot Noir

TASTING NOTE: Lot #42. Barrel Sample: Justin Hirigoyen worked at Domaine Faiveley and Spring Mountain Vineyard. Need to know anything else? No! Just bid—and love this wine. A blend of heritage clones, it offers beautifully lifted red berry fruit and warming spice that evokes cardamom and flamed blood orange peel. Medium-bodied with salty minerality, notes of Santa Rosa plum, and fine, satiny tannins. The finish is fragrant with rose petal and finesse to spare. From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE: This unique auction lot is crafted with selections from the Twomey Last Stop estate vineyard through the lens of collaboration. After half a decade farming this specific site together, winemaker Justin Hirigoyen and grape growers Nick Filice and Jim Pratt sat down together to encapsulate site and vintage into this exclusive wine made from heritage clones planted at the site. The Last Stop Vineyard gets its name from being the last stop on a former rail line that ran from San Francisco to Forestville in the early 1900s. Today, Twomey is the proud steward of the site’s rolling hills covered in Goldridge soils. Founded in 1999 by the Duncan Family of Silver Oak, Twomey combines experience and a sense of curiosity with the exploration of expressive vineyards for its wines — made to be savored with family and friends. This wine showcases the complex and refined flavor profile typical of the Russian River Valley. A delicate balance of power and elegance are on full display with a refined tannic structure complimented by fresh energy and life. Bright floral and spice notes frame a detailed bouquet of dark cherry, bergamot and Santa Rosa plum. A broad attack gives way to a bright, creamy core of fruit and tannins that linger on the palate. WINEMAKER(S): Justin Hirigoyen ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: December 2025 ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: April 2026 National Distribution: Includes all 50 states and Washington, DC International Distribution: Includes Canada, Denmark, Japan, Norway; please inquire for additional countries.

2024

Vaughn Duffy Wines

Bacigalupi Vineyards Chardonnay

From the Bacigalupi family’s historic Goddard Ranch—the first property Helen and Charles Bacigalupi purchased in the 1950s, and the source of grapes used in Chateau Montelena’s legendary 1973 Chardonnay that won the Judgement of Paris—this wine carries a remarkable legacy. Aged for 10 months in French oak barrels (50% new), it offers layers of baked lemon, orchard fruit, lemon oil, and French pastry richness, all seamlessly integrated. Vaughn Duffy is a small, family-owned winery based in Sonoma County producing about 3,000 cases annually and specializing in Pinot Noir. The wines are crafted by forklift-wiz-turned-winemaker Matt Duffy, who co-founded the winery in 2009 with his wife, Sara Vaughn.

2024

Vaughn Duffy Wines

Sauvignon Blanc

The grapes for this wine were sourced entirely from Hopkins River Ranch in the heart of the Russian River Valley, where Bob Hopkins has been farming wine grapes on his family’s property off Eastside Road since the 1970s. Fermented and aged for five months in a combination of older oak (58%) and stainless steel barrels (42%), the wine is crunchy, crisp, and super tart, with bright lime acidity, grassy nuances, and tropical fruit character reminiscent of kiwi and green apple. Vaughn Duffy is a small, family-owned winery based in Sonoma County producing about 3,000 cases annually and specializing in Pinot Noir. The wines are crafted by forklift-wiz-turned-winemaker Matt Duffy, who co-founded the winery in 2009 with his wife, Sara Vaughn.

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2023

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Sourced from a vineyard on a low riverside bench, this white is big, but also refreshingly lemony. Everything feels wonderfully dialed up in this big-fruited Chardonnay. So it’s all on balance, from its warm and spicy aromatics to its rich peach flavors. – J.R.

2023

Producer

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Sourced from the Earl Stephens Vineyard in the Green Valley sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley, this is a pretty, savory-driven Pinot Noir offering a mix of red cherry fruit, pine forest, crushed cocoa nibs, and elegant cedarwood. Medium-bodied, it’s balanced and finely textured, finishing with a tart cherry brightness. Founded in 2010 by David Warren Hejl, former CEO of Kosta Browne and Martinelli Winery & Vineyards, Domaine Della crafts limited-production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from select Sonoma County vineyards.

2023

Producer

Name

This Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is straightforward and juicy, offering a lively mix of red cherry and currant fruit layered with notes of spicy paprika and cedarwood. A subtle thread of saline minerality runs through the wine, balanced by blood-orange acidity and crisp, refreshing tannins. Founded in 2010 by David Warren Hejl, former CEO of Kosta Browne and Martinelli Winery & Vineyards, Domaine Della crafts limited-production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from select Sonoma County vineyards.

2023

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If Wester Reach is DuMOL’s Montrachet, then The Chloe is its Chablis counterpart—subtler, more elegantly framed, and refined in its restraint. While the fruit spectrum still spans citrus to tropical, the acidity is softer, lending the wine a gentler, more graceful finish. This 100% Chardonnay is sourced from 54% Flora Marie and 46% DuMOL Bressay Estate vineyards. It was aged 11 months in 26% new French oak barrels from Tonnellerie Damy, followed by 6 months of settling in tank. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is led by Chief Winemaker & Proprietor Andy Smith, crafting Russian River Valley releases from both estate and nearby grower-partner vineyards.

2023

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Zippy, zesty, and zingy—this is an electrified Pinot Noir that crackles with energy. In total contrast to the richer Wester Reach bottling, it shows crunchy red fruits, bright red florals, and delicate Asian spice notes. Long, lean, and focused, it’s a natural partner for oysters Rockefeller or grilled branzino. This 100% Pinot Noir is sourced from Dutton Ranch and was aged 15 months in 32% new French oak barrels from Tonnellerie Remond. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is led by Chief Winemaker & Proprietor Andy Smith, crafting Russian River Valley releases from both estate and nearby grower-partner vineyards.

2023

Producer

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This Chardonnay bursts from the glass with a dazzling mix of citrus, orchard, and tropical fruit, accented by fine cedarwood and subtle vanilla. The medium-bodied palate is layered with flavors of lemon curd, lime zest, apricot, and pineapple, framed by delicate notes of pressed wildflowers. A firm spine of racy acidity provides balance and tension, supporting the wine’s generous fruit core. Sourced from 38% Flax Estate, 22% El Diablo, 16% Winners Circle, 12% Cornerstone, and 12% Charles Heintz, it was aged 11 months in 20% new French oak from Tonnelleries Remond, Chassin, and ACF, followed by 4 months of settling in tank before bottling. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is led by Chief Winemaker and Proprietor Andy Smith, crafting Russian River Valley releases from both estate and nearby grower-partner vineyards.

2023

Producer

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The DuMOL style demands attention—structured, firmly tannic, and crisp, these wines are built for long-term cellaring. But give them air—open in the morning and revisit in the evening—and their purity of fruit and quiet elegance reveal themselves, a reminder that these are not wines to simply pop and pour. After four hours open, this 100% Pinot Noir showed layers of dark fruit, forest pine, and black truffle charcuterie, nuanced by wet slate and robust, smoky sea-salt–dusted tannins. Smoked paprika carries through the lengthy, dynamic finish. Sourced from 28% Occidental Road, 26% Dutton Ranch, 16% Flax Estate, 16% DuMOL Estate, and 14% Placida, it was aged 15 months in 28% new French oak from Tonnelleries Ermitage and Remond. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is led by Chief Winemaker & Proprietor Andy Smith, crafting Russian River Valley releases from both estate and nearby grower-partner vineyards.

2023

Producer

Name

A light, zesty, and tropical Chardonnay offering notes of quince, salted lemon peel, and candied pineapple. The creamy mid-palate adds texture and depth, leading to a stony, sea-salt–tinged finish. This 100% Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley was barrel-fermented with native yeast, underwent full malolactic fermentation, and aged 11 months in one one-year-old French oak barrel and one used French oak barrel. Debra Mathay purchased Dutcher Crossing in 2007, and it now produces more than thirty wines from Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties, farming 75 acres of estate vineyards.

2023

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Tasting the two Elaine Chardonnays from Calypte Vineyard provides a visual lesson in vintages—2022 was hot, 2023 was cool. The 2022 shows a deep golden hue, while the 2023 glows lemon-gold with hints of emerald shimmer. The 2023 vintage is leaner and brighter, driven by high-toned acidity that initially commands attention but soon reveals layers of lemon, lime, white florals, and tangerine oil beneath. Sourced from the winemaker’s estate vineyard, the Chardonnay was hand-harvested, barrel-fermented with indigenous yeast, and aged 17 months sur lie in 40% new French oak with bâtonnage before being bottled unfiltered. Established in 2017 by Elaine and Mark Sale, Elaine Wines produces fewer than 200 cases annually.

2023

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A barrel selection with 40% whole cluster. Aged for 14 months in 20% new French oak. An intriguing and exotic bouquet evokes tropical passion fruit, pomegranate, cranberry, and a touch of brown spice, all of which carry through to the light- to medium-bodied palate. More cherry and raspberry fruit emerge mid-palate, framed by sinewy tannins and a floral-driven finish.

2023

Producer

Name

Vines and Roses comes from older vines along Olivet Road in Santa Rosa. Fermented with 33% whole clusters and aged for 14 months in 20% new Damy French oak barrels. It captures the generosity of the Russian River Valley with a lighter-toned red fruit profile and a fine dusting of pink Himalayan sea salt atop firm tannins that resolve with juicy richness and taut acid tension.

2023

Producer

Name

From sites along the banks of the Russian River in the Russian River Valley, this Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented with a mix of native and cultured yeasts. It undergoes 95% malolactic fermentation and is aged sur lie with stirring for nearly five months before continuing its élevage in Burgundian French oak for a total of 14 months. All that barrel work brings a gorgeous confectionary spice character—graham-cracker crust, blondie richness, and vanilla—mingling with delicate white-rose floral notes. The palate is full-bodied and richly fruited, loaded with ripe apple, poached pear, and vanilla-laced toasty oak. Quite delicious, distinctly fragrant for a Chardonnay, and impressively elegant for a wine with this level of richness.

2023

Producer

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This 100% Chardonnay is blended from several vineyard sources that highlight the diversity and depth of the Russian River Valley. Aged for 10 months on primary lees in 30% new French oak. It isn’t shy with its oak use, but it’s beautifully integrated. The wine opens with aromas that transport you to a French bakery—lavish butter croissant and toasty brioche notes abound. Beneath that lies a wealth of citrus, lemon oil, lemon curd, and crème brûlée, all adding a sense of sweetness before finishing crisp, bone-dry, and marked by a welcome saline acid tension. Gary Farrell Winery has been a pioneer of the Russian River Valley wine scene for over 40 years.

2023

Producer

Name

A half-and-half blend of Pommard and Clone 777 from Bacigalupi Vineyard. The nose leans fairly savory, with a heady dose of cedarwood spice and white pepper. There’s plenty of tannin grip and texture, with juicy fruit on the palate that — for me — could be a touch riper, but for those who prefer a leaner, more focused Pinot with cool wet–river–rock character, this will hit the spot.

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced entirely from Hyde clone at the Bootlegger’s Hill Vineyard, whole-cluster pressed and 100% barrel-fermented, then aged 11 months in 33% new French oak followed by 7 months in stainless steel before bottling. The nose is super rich, showing lemon curd, apple, lemon peel, candied ginger and sea-spray minerality, with a kiss of vanilla and an ultra-salty wet-slate character. Ginger spice and candied lemon peel carry onto the palate, which has excellent mid-weight richness and a long, spice-driven finish. Totally captivating and delicious—beautifully balanced.

2023

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A captivating nose of ripe cherry fruit, sagebrush, rosemary, thyme and lifted rosemary florals, with a touch of cocoa powder for added depth. The palate delivers excellent mid-palate concentration, with powdery, supple tannins—like the jelly of a doughnut, no holes here—sumptuous and fully filled out. Fermented in a mix of stainless steel, concrete and neutral oak with 6% whole cluster, then aged 16 months in 37% new French oak.

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2023

2023 Davis Bynum River West Vineyard Chardonnay

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2023

2023 Domaine Della Earl Stephens Vineyard Pinot Noir

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2023

2023 Domaine Della Pinot Noir

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2023

2023 DuMOL Chloe Chardonnay

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2023

2023 DuMOL Ryan Pinot Noir

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2023

2023 DuMOL Wester Reach Chardonnay

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2023

2023 DuMOL Wester Reach Pinot Noir

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2023

2023 Dutcher Crossing Chenoweth Vineyard Chardonnay

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2023

2023 Elaine Wines Calypte Vineyard Chardonnay

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2023

2023 En Garde Passion de la Reine Pinot Noir

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2023

2023 En Garde Vines and Roses Pinot Noir

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2023

2023 Ferrari-Carano Tré Terre Chardonnay

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2023

2023 Gary Farrell Winery Chardonnay

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2023

2023 Kobler Estate Winery Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir

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2023

2023 Kosta Browne Bootlegger’s Hill Chardonnay

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2023

2023 Kosta Browne Bootlegger’s Hill Pinot Noir

Still Wine

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