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April 8, 2023

Cultivar Wine Wins Gold at 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition

2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

We’re thrilled to announce that Cultivar Wine and Caspar Estate have both been honored in the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition!
 
🥇GOLD: 2021 Cultivar Rosé
🥇GOLD: 2021 Cultivar Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
🥇 GOLD: 2018 Cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon, Leaky Lake, Napa Valley
🥈 SILVER: 2021 Caspar Estate Sauvignon Blanc
🥈 SILVER: 2019 Caspar Estate Cabernet Franc
 
We’re incredibly proud to have been recognized in this year’s San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, and we can’t wait to share these award-winning wines with you! There were over sixty judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating 5,500 wines from nearly 1,000 wineries for the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

 

SF Wine Competition
Sip on our 2021 Cultivar Rosé:

For those looking for a treat amidst the sea of reds and whites, we highly recommend giving rosé a sip. Cultivar Wine’s Rosé, in particular, is a standout. Made from hand-selected grapes grown in the picturesque Sierra Foothills of California, this wine embodies a perfect balance of juicy fruitiness and crisp acidity since it is made from 71% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 4% Cinsault Noir grapes.

But it’s not just the delectable taste that makes Cultivar Wine’s Rosé a must-try. The winery’s dedication to sustainable farming practices ensures an environmentally-friendly harvest. Additionally, Cultivar Wine’s commitment to producing small batches means that each bottle of Rosé has been carefully crafted with quality in mind.

Julien Fayard has brought a Provencal flair to this incredible blend of southern Rhone varietals, mostly sourced from the unique terroir of the Sierra Foothills in California. Rosé is one of the most food-friendly wines you can find, so pair this with everything from seared scallops to grilled pork chops.

As we move from Rosé to Pinot Noir, it’s important to understand that this grape is notoriously difficult to cultivate. However, when grown successfully, it produces some of the most exquisite wines.

Let’s start with the Santa Lucia Highlands. This small appellation, located in Monterey County, boasts a unique climate that produces elegant and complex Pinots. The 2023 competition saw a standout performer in the 2021 Cultivar Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. This wine has a beautiful garnet color and is bursting with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and spice. It also has a silky texture and a long, satisfying finish.

Moving north to Napa Valley, we find another region that excels in producing top-quality ruby color and is loaded with flavors of ripe blackberries, cherries, and a subtle hint of smoky oak. It also has a smooth and velvety texture.

Leaky Lake
The Leaky Lake vineyard is in the Napa Valley in hills between Rutherford and St. Helena. The winery’s dedication to sustainable farming practices ensures an environmentally-friendly harvest. Additionally, Cultivar Wine’s commitment to producing small batches means that each bottle of wine has been carefully crafted with quality in mind.

Whether you’re a fan of Santa Lucia Highlands’ complexity and elegance there’s a wine  for every preference at the 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy a glass of one of these exceptional wines.

Try these pairings at Cultivar San Francisco.

Join the Cultivar Wine Club for first choice of these highly desirable small production wines delivered to your door! ​

Behind the scenes -glasses of wine laid out waiting for the judges at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition – photo from SF Chronicle.

The 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition has revealed the best wines of the year, and they are not to be missed. From the award-winning taste of Cultivar Wine’s Rosé to the exquisite flavors of Leaky Lake’s Cabernet Sauvignon, there’s a wine for everyone. These winning wines are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our winemaker Julien Fayard who strives for excellence. So why not treat yourself to a bottle or two and experience the greatness for yourself? As one of the judges put it, “Wine is bottled poetry.” Cheers to the beauty of wine and the art of winemaking.

February 7, 2023

Just Released Chardonnay from Santa Barbara

Cultivar Chardonnay

Just released Cultivar Chardonnay from Santa Barbara!

Unlock the Magic of 2021 Cultivar Santa Barbara Chardonnay. This California gem is distinct in every way; from its radiant golden hue to its depth of flavor— it’s a wine to be savored. Get ready for a journey of discovery – where you’ll explore its tantalizing aromas, crisp flavors and indulgent texture. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or simply want to experience a unique bottle, Santa Barbara Chardonnay is sure to please. 

Cultivar Wines are thoughtfully crafted to pair well with food.

2021 Cultivar Santa Barbara Chardonnay’s golden hugh color is reminiscent of rays of sunshine peaking between the clouds. This is a California glass of sunshine. Aromas with hints of tropical fruits mix with a whiff of tangerine float up to greet you.

Crisp Golden Delicious apple and fresh juicy pear flavors with a kiss of vanilla keeps your mouth wanting more. Fresh and lovely with a rich and creaminess, textured but not too weighty.

Lively acidity balances a mineralility with smooth luscious mouth feel. Our Chardonnay is an easy drinking, food friendly wine. Pair it with everything from roasted or barbequed chicken, risotto, lobster, crab, shrimp, roasted peppers with goat cheese.

Pour yourself a glass and experience its sunshine-y yellow color; it hints at the flavor and aroma-rich journey ahead. Get ready to be whisked away to a beach paradise with just a whiff — notes of tropical fruit and tangerine swirling around your senses. And then comes the sip — the creaminess of the wine coating your palate in extravagant flavor. Notes of apple and pear add complexity, while its smooth finish will leave you wanting more.

 
 
The Scottish Salmon pairs well with our 2021 Cultivar Chardonnay. The acidity of the wine is perfect with the salmon, cauliflower rice, fava beans, jalapeño, chive & lemon vinaigrette.
 
Another dish that is amazing with our handmade fettuccine with grilled asparagus, fava beans, English peas, spinach, pecorino, Caspar Estate olive oil.
 
Try these pairings at Cultivar San Francisco.
 
 
Garden vegetable with handmade pasta

This Cultivar Chardonnay was aged in French Oak Barrels. It was then aged in a Clay Amphora. Half of the chardonnay was aged 14 months in barrel and the other half was aged 6 months in barrel then 8 months in an amphora as an experiment. Barrels were stirred daily during active fermentation, then once every week until the wine was racked.

The 2021 Chardonnay is part of our Cultivar Wine Club offering for February. Cultivar Wine produces and curates small lot wines that express terroir from the best California wine appellations. These sought-after wines with typically less than 200 cases available, are offered first to our Cultivar Wine Club members and our Cultivar SF wine bar & restaurant. With regular acclaim from critics like James Suckling and featured in Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, and more these wines sell out quickly.

Join the Cultivar Wine Club for first choice of these highly desirable small production wines delivered to your door! ​

Discover the magic of Santa Barbara Chardonnay. Let the golden hue, aromas and flavors transport you to the heart of California wine country and enjoy a unique taste you won’t soon forget.

November 22, 2022

Thanksgiving with Cultivar Rosé, Pinots, and Port

What to pair with your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving Meal?

Cultivar makes your moments become memories! We recommend these wines for your late fall celebrations.

To start your meal we will be serving our 2021 Cultivar Rosé, a great wine for any celebration and to toast your friends and family while nibbling on cheese and charcuterie platters. Julien Fayard has brought a Provencal flair to this incredible blend and it was named “50 Best”.

From there we move to our 2021 Cultivar Russian River Pinot Noir. Our tasting of this wine made it clear that it is a very versatile wine. The ruby color brings to mind fresh raspberries and Gala apple peel. On the nose: delicate aromas of blackberry, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, mint, and cracked pepper. Your palate is rewarded with strawberry, cranberry, and bright red fruits, but with a light & fruity body. The finish is dry and delicate, featuring medium acid and just a hint of tannins. Serve this pinot with your stuffed turkey, mushroom and rice dish.

Looking for something a little different? Try our 2019 Cultivar Napa Valley Syrah, a gorgeous and opulent Napa Valley Syrah. Dark, bold, and brilliant describes both the color and the nose, as pepper, allspice, and smoked meats explode from this dark purple wine. Waves of black currant, juicy blueberry, and boysenberry greet the palate, capped by a lingering finish of cherry, smoke, graphite, and anise. Pair it with curry dishes, Kung Pao chicken, pork belly bao, mushroom risotto, and duck.

Then for dessert we love the 2014 Cultivar Port! Created in the Tawny Port style, this decadent dessert wine greets the nose with layers of caramel, dulce de leche, and orange peel. Warm waves of spun sugar, maple, and dark chocolate roll across the palate, ending with a creamy, mocha finish that seems to linger forever.

If you need Cultivar Wines and are in the Bay Area you can stop in and purchase at 2379 Chestnut Street at Cultivar San Francisco.

We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

September 26, 2022

Harvesting Cabernet Sauvignon At Cultivar’s Leaky Lake Vineyard

Napa Valley Night Harvest of Cabernet Grapes

Harvesting Cabernet Sauvignon from our Leaky Lake Vineyard began late night on September 8th. Located about a quarter mile up the road from Caspar Estate, the Leaky Lake Vineyard is where Cultivar grows our limited production, vineyard-designate Cabernet Sauvignon.

Leaky Lake Vineyard Stats:
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Clone(s): 191/337
Planted: 2007
Size: 3.5 acres
Rootstock: 101-14
Exposure: West and North
Elevation: 1000 feet
AVA: Napa Valley
Soil Type / Deposit: Clay Loam / Iron

Leaky Lake Vineyard on map

Gathering The Crew For Harvesting Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2022 harvest in Napa Valley was a busy one. Early September brought some rapid changes in temperature, which made the fruit reach its peak much sooner than expected. Within a five-day period, our crew had picked our all our Caspar Estate fruit, along with the Cabernet Sauvignon at Leaky Lake Vineyard!

With their grape hooks sharpened and their headlamps on, the crew was ready for harvesting Cabernet Sauvignon by the light of the moon.

Why Harvest At Night?

Harvesting at night is a time-honored practice in the Napa Valley. In fact, most wine regions around the world typically harvest during the late night or early-morning hours.

Picking at night helps ensure that all the grapes are at the same temperature. This means there’s a higher degree of control at the start of the fermentation process and less oxidation of the grapes. This results in better wine, lower energy costs, and greater efficiency.

In particularly hot climates—which can include the Napa Valley—picking at night also means cooler conditions for the farmworkers.

Leaky Lake: Cultivar’s Vineyard-Designate Cabernet Sauvignon

If you couldn’t tell already, we love the Leaky Lake Vineyard. Its unique hillside location, clay loam soil, and position above the fog line make it one of those uniquely Napa Valley properties.

The wine we produce from this vineyard has a signature power, elegance, and intensity, thanks in no small part to our winemaker, Julien Fayard. Julien loves to work with terroir-driven wines, and each subsequent vintage of Leaky Lake Cabernet Sauvignon is a true reflection of the growing season.

We typically make less than 75 cases each year of Cultivar’s Leaky Lake Cabernet Sauvignon. Most of that goes first to The Cultivar Wine Club, with limited quantities then made available in our online store.

September 26, 2022

Cabernet Sauvignon Harvest at Caspar Estate

Harvest Is Complete At Caspar Estate!

In the warm evening hours of Tuesday, September 13th, our crew gathered at Caspar Estate for the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest.

It was one of the earliest harvests we’ve experienced. This was because Mother Nature gave us some unexpected weather fluctuations in the first part of the month. But when we measured the brix, conditions were perfect, and our Cabernet Sauvignon harvest went off without a hitch.

We expect the 2022 Caspar Estate Cabernet Sauvignon to be another fabulous vintage.

Julien Fayard inspecting the Caspar Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Harvesting The Hillside Block of Cabernet Franc

Just days after the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest, we picked our Caspar Estate Cabernet Franc. This time, we harvested in the early morning hours, while fog still hovered above the vines.

This photo of the Hillside Block gives you a sense of how small this half-acre plot is. Planted in 2007, it features close rows placed just below the rocky wall.

The serpentine rocks, composed of iron and magnesium, show their colors. Our Cabernet Franc is completely terrior-driven and very site-specific. This is one of our winemaker’s favorite blocks.

Caspar Estate Cabernet Franc harvest

Julien Fayard: Caspar Estate’s Talented Winemaker

With another harvest in the books, the next step in the process lies in the expert hands of our acclaimed winemaker, Julien Fayard.

Named Wine Spectrum’s Winemaker of The Year, and known for his deft work with organically-farmed vineyards, Julien has earned a reputation as one of the premiere winemakers in Napa Valley. Under the tutelage of renowned winemakers from both France and Napa, Julien learned to keep terroir front and center in his winemaking style.

This style complements our philosophy at Caspar Estate, where we believe organic farming practices combined with a commitment to sustainability are key to creating a wine that truly reflects a sense of time and place.

Taste The Cabernet Sauvignon Harvest With A Caspar Estate Allocation

Caspar Estate wines are available exclusively through allocation. You can learn how to request an allocation on our website, or come to our farm-to-table restaurant, Cultivar SF, to taste a bottle with lunch or dinner.