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Stunning Harvest of Sauvignon Blanc Grapes at Caspar Estate
Harvesting the 2023 Caspar Estate Sauvignon Blanc Grapes
The morning sky had a slight haze, making everything look rosy. Before harvest our vineyard team trimmed back the leaves to expose the grapes.
Our Eastern exposure in the early morning sunlight shows our rocky loam serpentine soil. With just one acre of Sauvignon Blanc we have a very small production, giving our vineyard team time to give each vine the attention it needs. Our small production wines are carefully crafted, starting in the vineyard.
The clusters of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes were beautiful – see for yourself. We wish you could taste them, but it is just a matter of time.
Thursday, August 31st they were picked and taken to the winery to be made into our 2023 Caspar Estate Sauvignon Blanc.
Cultivar Wine Wins Gold at 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
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.
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.
Just Released Chardonnay from Santa Barbara
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.
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!
Make Your Holiday List and Start Celebrating!
Bring back the joy of celebrating together this holiday season!
Cultivar Wines are thoughtfully crafted to pair well with food. Give the gift of effortless holiday hosting so you can gather and celebrate and toast the season!
Caspar Estate organically farms their olive olive grove, orchards and culinary garden and the extra virgin olive oil, wildflower honey are always well received gifts. Many customers return year after year to re-order these gifts.
Our Tuscan style extra virgin olive oil has a mature full balance of white pepper and grassy aroma followed by a creamy herbaceous finish. Subtle flavors of tomato leaf and sweet apple pie pair well with salads, poached fish, seared meat or a rustic baguette. The Caspar Estate olive oil is from our heritage grove Mission olive trees planted over 100 years ago and our Frantoio, Leccino, Coratina, Luca, Manzanillo, Picholine, Pendolino and Sevillano varieties.
Always a hit!
The Napa Pair
The perfect introduction to Cultivar Wine with two popular wines from the Napa Valley. A bottle of our 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, and 2019 Syrah, Napa Valley in our farmer gift box. It’s a great way to share your love of Cultivar Wine with your friends and family.
2021 Cultivar Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and vibrant, with flavors of citrus and melon, our popular Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc pairs with all your favorite dishes, all year long.
2019 Cultivar 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.
Cabernet Franc Pair
Our Stunning Cabernet Francs from Oak Knoll, Napa Valley
2018 Cultivar Cabernet Franc opens with the aroma of raspberries, Bing cherries, cardamom, tobacco, and white pepper. There are notes of Herbes de Provence running through the aroma as well. On the palate, full fresh raspberries and currants intertwine with sweet oak and bright spices. The palate is opulent with just the right amount of tannins. A long, silky finish. We’ve always found the Cabernet Franc works with a wide variety of foods, from Asian-inspired dishes to grilled salmon to duck.
2019 Cultivar Cabernet Franc on the palate, the flavors of cranberry and red fruit are evenly balanced with nutmeg, ginger, white pepper, and a hint of baking chocolate. The finish is medium and supple, but with lingering tannins.
Our Cab Francs are one of our most food-friendly wines. Try it with anything from a grilled cheese sandwich to sliders to both main courses and side dishes for your fall dinners.
A fabulous gift for wine lovers and people who like to entertain.
Terriors of the Napa Valley
Take a tour through two of the finest appellations in Napa Valley with this duo of Cabernets from Oakville and Coombsville.
2018 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is delicious and expresses both the characteristics of the 2018 Napa vintage and the personality of its valley floor location. With only 77 cases produced, this one will go fast.
2017 Coombsville Cabernet is packed with all the minerality and bold fruit flavors this storied appellation is known for. Our Coombsville Cabernet is perfect on its own or with grilled New York Strip.
A fabulous gift for all who enjoy a hearty Cabernet with their Rib Eye, or who exploring the intricacies of Napa Valley and its appellations.
Cultivar Gift Cards
Up your gifting with our Cultivar Wine and Cultivar San Francisco Gift Cards!
We love them for teachers, babysitters, dog walkers, all the people in your life that make up your village!
Choose from actual plastic cards from Cultivar San Francisco or our instant gratification virtual gift cards.
Thanksgiving with Cultivar Rosé, Pinots, and Port
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!
