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Peachy keen is the name of the game with this ringer of a Chardonnay. The classic SBC yellow fruit richness is well on display here, with apples, peaches, and ripe figs all cozying up to warm baking spices on the nose, and the palate. A bit of lemon peel acidity helps keep things lip-smacking through the toasty finish. Aged in 50% stainless steel and 50% older French oak, with grapes sourced from Sierra Madre, Peake Ranch, and John Sebastiano vineyards. – J.R.
Bright cherry, tangy and savory cranberry, dark plum, and brown baking spices announce themselves on the nose of this affable and immediately tasty Pinot. The mouthfeel is rich yet easygoing, bringing darker cherry fruit and further hints of those warm and welcoming baking spices. Certainly worth picking up the call for, this is a crowd-pleaser through and through. Sourced from John Sebastiano and Peake Ranch, and aged in all older French oak. – J.R.

Tangy, perky, and somewhat muscular, this pink sipper shows delicious ripe red berry flavors and a long finish with lovely rose petal tinges. – J.R.
Made from 100% Melon de Bourgogne grown on soils of schist, quartz, and flint, producing a medium-bodied, fragrant, crisp, and energetic white wine redolent of mango, passion fruit, and blood orange, lifted by lemon and grapefruit peel nuances and imbued with the flinty, stony minerality reflective of its vineyard origins. A must-have for shellfish and seafood dishes, and equally perfect as a crunchy, low-alcohol aperitif when you want something refreshing without reaching for a higher-octane G&T.
This is a truly enticing white wine with soft-toned aromatics reminiscent of the outer flesh of perfectly ripe fruit—the skin of a peach, plum, or apple—layered with a panoply of springtime florals and bright baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers sumptuous, lush, and silken fruit character, dusted with fresh crushed sea salt and drizzled with honey. Excellent mid-palate depth carries into a long, drawn-out, exuberantly zippy finish—an utterly fantastic and complex white that keeps you coming back for more.
The 2024 Dovecote Estate Chardonnay from Thompson Vineyard in Alisos Canyon, a limited release of just 54 cases, is a stunning example of California Chardonnay that combines richness with real elegance. On the nose, it opens with that classic toasty, buttery brioche character—think a freshly baked, crispy brioche straight from the farmer’s market—along with layers of Meyer lemon and baked apple. On the palate, all those flavors come together seamlessly, balanced by a bright, lemony acidity. There’s a beautiful textural grip and a crushed sea salt impression that leaves your mouth watering, complemented by nuances of apricots, crushed Marcona almonds, and pressed wildflowers. It’s a remarkable wine with great depth, tension, and a saline, mineral-driven length that will resonate with any lover of beautifully balanced California Chardonnay.
This 2024 Dovecote Estate Grenache Blanc from the Thompson Vineyard in Alisos Canyon, crafted in a limited run of just 52 cases, is a beautifully fragrant and vivid expression. On the nose, it’s lemon-bright and citrus-driven, layered with delicate white flowers and subtle orchard fruit with cherry pit and white plum nuances. On the palate, the wine unfolds into a lush core of silky citrus and orchard fruit notes, accented by hints of tropical fruit and a whisper of crushed almonds. It has an incredible textural grip, almost a chalky, saline acid tension that lends the wine a compelling mineral-driven finish. Think wet river stones and a beautifully lingering chalkiness that makes each sip memorable.
The grapes for this Riesling are grown on deeper loamy soils, contributing to a more fruit-forward style. Gently pressed and stainless steel fermented, the wine was aged on the lees for 4–5 months before racking and bottling. It offers bright pear, apple, and green melon fruit with a subtle note of vanilla cream or panna cotta. A lovely thread of baking spice enriches the midpalate, while tangerine and grapefruit zest drive the finish. The aromatics are fresh and vibrant, with delicate white rose lingering beautifully on the long, lifted close.
Dragonette continues to produce some of California’s most compelling Sauvignon Blancs. This entry-level bottling serves as the precursor to their trio of single-vineyard SBs, offering a vivid preview of the house style. Sourced from the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, it’s a dynamic wine driven by orchard and tropical fruit, zesty sea grass, and prairie herbs. A kiss of vanilla and creamy oak spice mingles with lime oil, saffron, and quince, all carried on a long finish laced with crushed almonds and fine sea salt.
Entirely fermented and aged in stainless steel, this wine bursts with vibrant tropical fruit notes of lychee and white peach, underpinned by a flinty minerality. Crisp, crunchy, and racy acidity drives the palate, leading to a bright, chalky mineral finish. Established in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard is led by second-generation owner & President Kim Stare Wallace and oversees 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards.
A blend of stainless steel–fermented and partially barrel-aged lots, this wine is fragrant and lively, driven by notes of lemon-lime, lime blossom, honeysuckle, and white peach. Crisp acidity provides tension and lift, balancing the fleshier fruit profile. The finish is bone dry, clean, and refreshing. Established in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard is led by second-generation owner & President Kim Stare Wallace and oversees 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards.
The 2024 Ducks Unlimited Red Blend is simply fantastic. It’s a powerhouse, and one of the best red wines I’ve tasted from Texas. The aromatics just soar out of the glass with blackberry and boysenberry fruit framed by elegant cedarwood spice, lifted by violets and a bright pop of blue fruit. Medium to full-bodied, it shows a framework of fine-grained, firm tannins with a long finish marked by wet slate and crushed rock minerality, underscored by crisp, focused acidity. Serve it cool, at a cellar temperature of about 57°F, and you’d be crazy not to pair it with brisket or seared duck breast over a balsamic reduction. The blend is 62% Tannat from Vintage Press Vineyard and Hye Estate, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot from Dell Valley Vineyard.

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.
Fermented entirely in stainless steel, this white is fresh but nicely rounded on the edges of the palate, sporting just a hint of pleasing astringent structure in its texture. Aromas and flavors of honeydew, nectarine, grapefruit, yellow apple, and lemon pie make this nearly irresistible. – J.R.
A perky, vibrant, jubilant pink, this rose is sourced from Docker Hill (Mendocino County) and Ruxton Vineyard (Russian River Valley), as well as other sites in Green Valley. Hints of roses, hibiscus, underripe melon, wild strawberry, and candied watermelon mingle with flavors of citrus. Everything resolves into a wonderfully mineral, herbal finish. – J.R.
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Bavarian Lion Vineyard in Knights Valley, Sonoma County, was made entirely in stainless steel with no oak influence. Lush and tropical, it offers aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle alongside ripe tropical fruit. Zippy, zesty acidity enlivens the palate, balancing the wine’s richness and leading to a long, spicy, mineral-driven finish. The Ehret family has been farming their Knights Valley estate for three generations, reserving their best fruit since 2005 for their own small production (handled in the cellar by winemaker Erin Green).
This sparkling is made entirely from the Blanc du Bois grape, sourced from Mound Prairie Vineyards outside of College Station Texas. The vineyard was planted by Bob Hensz and his daughter, Elisa Jones, the winemaker at Elisa Christopher Wines in 2007. The Blanc du Bois was aged six months on lees and offers up fragrant honeysuckle and tropical fruit notes with a kind of bright vinous character, all balanced by a rich, frothy and creamy mousse, finishing with nice chalky minerality and baking spice. Elisa Christopher Wines is owned by husband-and-wife duo Elisa and Chris, with Elisa also serving as the winemaker. Passionate about sparkling wine and their red wine program, they plan to begin planting their 43-acre estate in 2026.
Blue fruits and violets, hints of jasmine or honeysuckle, building with apricot, plum, and grippy Roobios tea tannins, building to a full-bodied sweet-spiced finish. Totally crushable. Grapes are grown at Narra Vineyards in the Texas High Plains. Aged 15 months in 50% new French oak.

The Chardonnay is barrel fermented and aged 10 months sur lie in 20% new French oak. Grapes are sourced from 60 different lots across Sonoma County. For the past decade, the wines at Ferrari-Carano have been made by winemaker Natalie West. There’s a lavish aromatic pop of rich, toasty, graham-cracker sweet oak that carries straight onto the palate, where the wine shows super-expressive character—lemon curd, lemon meringue, grilled pineapple. Despite all that richness, the wine stays balanced thanks to a vein of salinity that brings real freshness. The oak is beautifully integrated: never cloying, just vivid and tasty. You have to love this style to love this wine—and if you do, at $27 it’s a terrific value.
The fruit for this rosé goes directly to press—it’s made intentionally as rosé from all estate-grown fruit. It’s a fine, tasty wine featuring mixed red-berry notes, a touch of sea spray, and hints of crushed wild thyme and rosemary. White peach, apricot, and a honeysuckle lift round out the palate, leading to a lengthy, crisp, acid-driven finish.
Talk about an aromatic and spicy wine—no surprise given the name Cluster. This Grenache is fermented with whole clusters and undergoes carbonic maceration, a process where the juice ferments inside the intact berries. The result? A vividly expressive wine bursting with bright, juicy fruit. It’s succulent and energetic, with textured, grippy tannins that resolve beautifully into juicy acidity. Layers of purple violets and the fresh-cut stem of a rose weave through the mid-palate, while the super long and expressive finish is lifted by granular tannins and a flourish of rose petal.

A graceful, richly scented rosé offering raspberry, strawberry, and watermelon fruit notes, with a subtle whisper of mango on the creamy, medium-bodied palate. All that succulent fruit seems to have taken the scenic route to your glass—ripe, relaxed, and perfectly poised—until a crisp wave of acidity sweeps through, lifting the finish with a flourish of dried lavender and violet petals.
This is a bit of a chameleon—beginning with ripe red and black-toned fruit, elegant cedarwood spice, and rose petal nuances. The medium-bodied palate quickly shifts toward the savory spectrum, revealing layers of strawberry-rhubarb, baked cherry, leather, tobacco, and crunchy wild herbs. The finish is bright and lifted by crunchy acidity. Sourced from estate-certified sustainable vineyards and aged in neutral oak for 12 months.

100% Chardonnay from the Estate Vineyard, fermented at 53°F in stainless steel. Winemaker Aaron Luna, who joined the winery in 2016, crafts a bright, focused expression. The winery was established in the late 1990s and is owned today by Gina Carderra. Lemon-bright and refreshing, with white flowers and a hint of honeysuckle, lifted by tangerine oil and a crisp, crunchy acid grip. Clean, energetic, and easygoing.
Vivid, bright, and expressive, this white (sourced from Glenora Farms on the west side of Seneca Lake) offers notes of white peach, white plum, and a squeeze of grapefruit-like acidity. Light- to medium-bodied on the palate, it finishes with excellent wet slate mineral tension. There’s great energy and precision throughout.
100% Riesling from HJW Blocks 1 and 4 from the Demeter-certified HJW Vineyard on the western slopes of Seneca Lake, this was hand-picked, hand-sorted, and whole-cluster pressed, then fermented in stainless steel. It’s a wonderfully energetic and exuberant wine, with subtle tropical fruit and apricot notes, lifted by honeysuckle aromatics and a long, fruit- and flower-driven finish marked by terrific acidity.
Sourced from the Morris Vineyard. Floral, with hints of just ripe tropical fruit, slate, and melon. The palate has nice, rounded edges with a floral, lime and stone fruit finish that won’t quit. – J.R.
The 2024 Estate Dry Riesling is an exceptionally polished wine. It opens with a flinty, almost reductive edge, layered with beeswax, lime blossom, apricot, pear, and crunchy red apple over a soft, fleshy core. Despite its impression of sweetness, the wine is bone-dry, acid-driven, and remarkably long on the medium-bodied finish. Tasting it professionally, I found myself swallowing small sips just to be sure I loved it as much as I knew I did. You will too—it’s simply irresistible. Native yeast fermented in stainless steel. It is the most complete of the Estate Dry Riesling wines I tasted, and a remarkable effort from Hobb’s New York State winery.
Even before the first swirl, the 2024 Hillick & Hobbs Lower Terrace Estate Dry Riesling releases floral aromas that lift from the glass—super-fragrant, high-toned honeysuckle, jasmine, and acacia, with a delicate touch of rosemary blossom. On the palate, a supple silkiness resonates through the mid-palate before giving way to a chalky mineral finish accented by crushed almonds and emerging tropical fruit notes of peach and underripe mango. The finish is almost slippery, making this an all-too-easy quaffer.
The North Ravine bottling of Paul Hobbs’ Estate Dry Riesling from Hillick & Hobbs, his winery on Seneca Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region, is a dynamic and expressive white wine that bursts from the glass with jasmine and honeysuckle florals. It’s like springtime in a glass—open it in the dead of winter and you’ll be transported to sunnier, warmer days. On the palate, there’s a sense of warmth and generosity layered over cool notes of wet slate, sea spray minerality, and crunchy orchard fruit. A subtle mix of muddled honey and lemon adds depth and dimension. The floral notes carry through to a wonderfully lengthy finish, making it irresistible sip after sip.
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This Sauvignon Blanc was grown in the heart of the Los Olivos District at Coquelicot Vineyard and Big Pond Vineyard, from Musqué and Clone 1 selections. The juice was cold-fermented in stainless steel and aged for only five months. The fruit is super ripe and tropical, calling to mind candied peach rings, honeydew melon, and creamy caramel. It’s generous and lush on the palate, finishing with a sweet spice note.
The Sonoma Coast Chardonnay from Chalk Hill is sourced from a mix of sites—Wobkin, Ramal, Chalk Ridge, Rail Road, and additional Russian River Valley vineyards. The fruit is whole-cluster pressed, cold settled, and fermented in French oak with full malolactic fermentation and lees stirring. It is aged 8–10 months in 23% new French oak. The wine offers a heady mix of yellow apple, grilled pineapple, lemon curd, and white peach, all laced with vanilla and well-integrated buttery, toasty oak. Brown baking spices add warmth, while generous, juicy acidity underscores the wine’s plush character and delivers a freshness that’s hard to beat. A decadent wine—yet balanced by its brightness.
There’s a lot going on with this Sauvignon Blanc. It’s fermented in barrel with biweekly bâtonnage for the first two months, then monthly afterward, and aged five months in French oak (12% new). The blend also includes 18% Sauvignon Gris. It’s absolutely delicious—heady and contemplative—with impressive midweight texture and tension. Layers of citrus and orchard fruit mingle with a salty, briny mineral character, accented by white flowers, almonds, and plenty of crushed sea salt on the lengthy, fruit- and mineral-rich finish. A cedarwood spice note is beautifully woven into the fabric of the wine, adding both texture and tension. I love the generosity here; it’s a wine you can pair with food, but it’s equally pleasurable as a solo sipper before or after a meal. Fantastic at this price.
One of my favorites from Christopher Tarce, this pét-nat is intensely floral, bursting with white flowers, rose petals, and a subtle rose stem note. The mousse is rich and creamy, yet the finish remains clean, crisp, and floral-driven, with a bright streak of minerality.
Part of the “Multi-Rosati” series—typically 5 to 8 bottlings released each year—this rosé is made from red fruit picked specifically for pink wine, hand-harvested, whole-cluster pressed, settled and fermented entirely in stainless steel. All wines in the series are vinified the same way to highlight varietal character and vineyard site. This bottling delivers deep red berry fruit with a wild, sauvage edge, layered with notes of cherry skin, kumquat rind, and a hint of cocoa powder. A striking chalky-salty minerality anchors the wine, which finishes with crisp, juicy acidity and remarkable complexity. Winemaker James Christopher Tracy says that he hopes the wine reflects its moderate maritime climate and dramatic ocean influence—and it certainly does.
TASTING NOTE: Lot #1. Barrel Sample: Damn screamingly good, like Michael Browne leading the circus. Cabell Coursey cruising in for the ride, and together these rocketmen are blasting off with a spectacularly perfumed red wine with gorgeous cranberry and raspberry fruit, showing lifted elegance from nose to mid-palate through to the long, saline-acid finish. Bright, spicy, and super fresh, with blood orange and dark cherry notes carrying the core. From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE: A blend of Koplen and Graham Vineyards, the 2024 CIRQ “The Ringmaster” showcases Michael Browne’s 20 years of experience working with both world-class Russian River Valley sites. Koplen Vineyard, located in western Santa Rosa, was planted 25 years ago and is meticulously farmed by Dennis and Linda Koplen. Graham Vineyard, situated in a cool and foggy spot in Forestville, California, was planted and is farmed by Charlie Chenoweth. The commitment to consistency and continuous improvement at both vineyards has made them the core of CIRQ wine. “The Ringmaster” presents a dark hue in the glass, with aromas of black cherries and berries, complemented by hints of oak, cedar, and spice. On the palate, an intense explosion of pomegranate, Olallie blackberry and black cherry unfolds, while herbal accents lend a savory quality. The wine is lush, with a palate-staining finish, well framed by ripe tannins and bright acidity. With its depth, complexity, and striking balance, this one-of-a-kind blend, crafted exclusively for this lot, commands attention and promises to evolve beautifully with time. WINEMAKER(S): Michael Browne, Cabell Coursey ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: February 2026 ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: October 2026 National Distribution: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, KS, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA

Sourced 100% from Garys’ Vineyard, just over 75% whole clusters were used and it was aged in just over 81% new 3-year air dried French barrels, with no additions other than sulfur. The nose is assertive and intense in its ample floral and spice components, with violets, crushed rose petals, and fascinating and pure aromas of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, fennel, cloves, and pepper. Under it all, a lovely black cherry provides the backbone. In the mouth, that black cherry is sharing time with plush blue plum, cassis, and Indian spice flavors on a palate that is generous without being overbearing. There is just enough energetic lift to make the long finish feel buoyant. This is a powerful Pinot, but a pretty one, and one packed with enough stuffing to age well for years to come. – J.R.

This red pulls fruit from Garys’ Vineyard (66.6%) and Rosella’s Vineyard (33.4%), utilizing predominantly whole clusters and aged in mostly new 3-year air dried French barrels. Rhubarb, black cherry, brambly raspberry, black tea, blood orange, and savory herbs announce the aromatic entrance on this rich Pinot. Things get even richer on the palate, where it becomes one of the more overtly hedonistic of the Clarice SLH offerings (that I’ve tasted, anyway). It’s resplendent with sweet baking spices, ripe plums, and dense black cherry flavor. Pair it up with any white meat dish that involves berry compote, and you’ll be in great shape. – J.R.

There’s a lot of floral finesse going on here aromatically, and it will be much to the delight of New World Pinot Noir lovers. Lavender, crushed violets, tea leaves, mint, and even some Provence herbs all make themselves known as the aromas waft from the glass, underpinned with rhubarb, pomegranate, raspberry, and savory nuances. The mouthfeel is plush and round but still elegant, with concentrated black cherry fruit and plum flavors that are simultaneously wide and deep. This is a Pinot to both contemplate and imbibe (with gusto). Aged in 77.7% new 3-year air-dried French barrels, with no additions other than sulfur. – J.R.

This Cabernet Franc Blanc is one of the most surprising wines you’ll taste from Livermore. Nearly colorless, with a silvery-lemon hue, this blend of 85% Cabernet Franc, 10% Grüner Veltliner, and 5% Malbec from Lemmons Vineyard packs a serious punch on the palate. The nose opens with elegant white flowers and citrus, followed by subtle notes of pear and white peach. In the mouth, it comes alive with nectarine, yellow peach, honeycomb, and tangerine zest. It has great length and grip—a wine you’ll want to return to again and again.
Aged for seven months in neutral oak with a small portion in stainless steel, this wine is 100% estate grown from Triska Vineyard and Arroyo Mocho Creek Vineyard. The 2024 vintage brought a warmer end to the season, but for the white varieties it was a fairly average, steady growing year. The wine is wonderfully tropical, with white peach and pineapple notes, along with a touch of lemon curd. Fragrant French pastry tones and a hint of quince add lift and complexity. The finish is crisp and satisfying, laced with gentle warming baking spice.
The wine was aged for seven months in stainless steel and is made from 100% estate-grown fruit sourced from Lemmons Vineyard, a 15-acre site across from Darcie Kent Winery, and from Arroyo Mocho Creek Vineyard, just across the street from Concannon Vineyard. Concannon has been producing this wine since the 1980s. The Sémillon adds a softer textural component to the racy Sauvignon Blanc in this blend. It’s delicious, loaded with tropical fruit notes and a pop of lychee, with a lovely, lusciously sweet mid-palate—even though the wine finishes dry. Nuances of honeysuckle and white flowers bring bright, captivating detail.
This 100% estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc from Lemmons Vineyard comes from the northernmost site in the acclaimed Crane Ridge micro-region. It drinks like a paradise punch—bursting with pure, ripe, crunchy pineapple, peach, and nectarine fruit, with lingering notes of orange oil and honeysuckle. The rich mid-palate carries a supple, juicy weight that makes this wine a true crowd-pleaser.
TASTING NOTE: Lot #9. Barrel Sample: Showstopper. Has Dan Kosta Swagger and Shane Finley charisma. Super dark berry fruit and brown spices lead, with a lovely dark rose petal fragrance and a rich, grippy texture. Medium-bodied with impressive intensity and sinewy tannins. A powerful wine with remarkable depth and tension. From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE Sourced above the fog line at 1,000 feet of elevation in West Sonoma Coast, this exclusive bottling of Pinot Noir by Dan Kosta demonstrates the elusive reward of the grape grown under extreme conditions. Dan loves the tension he tastes in this wine. Crafted from a blend of his preferred clones, 777 and 115, “Above the Clouds” impresses with the elegant red fruit profile, poised tannin structure, and alluring depth of Sonoma County’s rugged coastal terroir. Aged for 15 months in exquisite French oak barrels from renowned Burgundian coopers Boutes, Sirugue & Rousseau, this medium-bodied, deep garnet-hued wine displays captivating red fruit aromas of strawberry and Bing cherry, complimented by delicate rose petals. Subtle yet firm tannins promise graceful aging, suggesting this wine is destined for a truly special occasion. Don’t miss this opportunity to acquire a piece of Sonoma County history with this exclusive Pinot Noir by Dan Kosta. WINEMAKER(S): Dan Kosta, Shane Finley ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: January 2026 ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: January 2026 National Distribution: Includes all 50 states and Washington, DC International Distribution: Includes Canada, Denmark, Japan, Norway; please inquire for additional countries.

Exciting, mineral, and vivacious. Floral tones, along with citrus peel and just-ripe tropical fruit action, make this feel almost effortless to imbibe. Sourced from estate grapes grown in Rioja Alta. – J.R.
I greatly admired the 2023, and this 2024 stands shoulder to shoulder with it. It offers bright red berry fruit layered with elegant earthy and tobacco spice, cedarwood accents and lifted violet florals. The tannins are softer than in the previous vintage, yet they quietly assert themselves, building through the earthy, floral-driven finish with gentle persistence and poise. The 2024 Cabernet Franc is sourced from vineyards on Seneca Lake. Each lot was vinified separately in one-ton bins, with 20% saignée prior to fermentation, 10% whole-cluster inclusion and native yeast ferments. Aged for 12 months in neutral French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.

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