OUR PROCESS

From the consideration of the unique characteristics of individual vineyards to how the expression of the grapes is best blended for an optimal, award-winning wine, our process is all about precision.

In 2006, a custom-built, state-of-the-art winemaking facility, surrounded by the 120-year-old Souverain Estate Vineyard in the Alexander Valley, near the town of Cloverdale, became our new home. Winemaker Ed Killian believes the most important part of winemaking is learning the characteristics and tendencies of the vineyards, and maximizing the quality and expression of each separate vineyard block. He had long been sourcing grapes for his award-winning Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc from these vineyards, so his deep familiarity with the vines and soil of Alexander Valley is ideal for crafting outstanding wines.

Constant monitoring of the vineyard is essential. Ed spends a large portion of his time walking the vineyards, consulting with the viticulturists, and during the harvest season, tasting grapes. Ultimately, he tastes and reviews each individual lot to create a wine that best expresses its origin.

Our new winery was completed just in time to crush grapes from the 2006 harvest. After harvesting, the grapes are swiftly transported to our new winemaking facility. Most of the new facility’s design is focused on the ability to maintain small lot integrity and to gently handle the estate fruit.