As the 2016 grape harvest approaches, I find it hard to believe that this will be the third harvest for the J. Cage Cellars Wine-Stained Dream. It seems like just last week Donna and I were giddy at lunch in Healdsburg over the fact that on our 34th wedding anniversary we had just contracted for our first ton of 2014 Pinot Noir grapes.
We are excited to announce that our 2015 J. Cage Cellars Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc are in the bottle and adjusting nicely to their new homes. All three wines turned out very well. Those of you that enjoyed our 2014 Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc will find the 2015 vintage similar in style yet a bit more refined.
Donna and I spent New Year ’s Eve quietly sipping J. Cage Cellars Viognier and Pinot Noir while we created what we hoped would be the winning black-eyed pea recipe for the William and Chris Winery (Hye, Texas) annual New Year’s Day cook-off. Well, we didn’t win …but it gave us time to reflect on the events of the past year and consider how grateful we are for all that has happened. Much of it, thanks to you.
Back at the end of September, we finished barreling our wines so they can mature and rest comfortably. Donna and I then headed back to Denver. A Halloween party invitation and the wonderful Pinot on the River event in Healdsburg were enough excuse to bolt from Denver for a long weekend back in Sonoma to taste our three J. Cage Cellars wines.
It was the last few days of our harvest and crush for J. Cage Cellars. The Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier that Donna and I had watched over so closely during the last weeks of ripening were fully fermented and safely tucked into their barrels, resting until they are ready to share.
Much to my naive surprise, learning to be a winemaker (for our new J. Cage Cellars label) and seeking winemaking advice has turned out to be much like my first days of fatherhood and seeking child rearing advice.