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Uncorked: The Blog : THE BLOG

Why Are Winemakers Clean Freaks?

Why Are Winemakers Clean Freaks? Learn why it is so important to be clean clean clean when winemaking, and how they do it.

Testarossa Winery Account Manager, Marie Bourdet, Wine Educator, Bob Zamora, and Winemaker Bill Brousseau enjoy a taste of Chardonnay.

If you’ve ever been inside a cellar, you’ve probably seen ample evidence that winemakers are clean freaks. From workers hosing down tanks to pristine wine thieves, the clean machine is in force at today’s wineries.

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The Lifecycle of Handcrafted Wine

woman in vineyard behind grapevines, cutting a vine

California wine conglomerates make between one million and 50 million cases of wine every year, each. Economies of scale are key to meeting their benchmarks and price points. But at the small, family-run wineries we feature, passion is the force behind the wines. They handcraft wines in ways that are just not possible at large wine corporations. It’s a difference you taste in every sip.

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Exploring the Passion and Craftsmanship Behind Elkhorn Peak Cellars

man and woman holding a glass of wine and wine bottle with hills and trees in the background

For four decades, Owner/Grower Ken Nerlove has poured his heart and soul into cultivating grapes in the unique terroir of Napa Valley. Nestled atop Jamieson Canyon, his eight-acre vineyard boasts an enviable location, particularly for Pinot Noir. “I live on this land as well as farm it,” Ken proudly declares. “Back in 1983, we were the pioneers who planted the first vines here.”
A pivotal moment occurred in 1992, nearly a decade after those initial plantings, when Ken teamed up with his friend and Consulting Winemaker, Kent Rassmussen, to create high-quality Pinot Noir. This endeavor gave birth to Elkhorn Peak Cellars, named after the towering mountain that stands watch over their vineyards. At an impressive 1,336 feet, Elkhorn Peak is the tallest summit in Jamieson Canyon.

newly harvested grapes being poured out of a bin.

Today, this micro-winery is a cherished family-owned and operated establishment, fueled by Ken’s passion and guided by his daughter, Winemaker Elise Nerlove. Their commitment to crafting exceptional wines in limited quantities sets them apart. Elise explains, “We take immense pride in our laid-back, non-pretentious approach. With an annual production of less than 1,000 cases, our wines remain truly exclusive treasures, not readily available in local restaurants or wine shops. Instead, we prefer to share the fruits of our labor directly with those who appreciate our handcrafted creations.”

Vineyard with Pinot Noir sign and blue sky in the background

Elkhorn Peak Cellars stands as a testament to the enduring dedication and vision of Ken Nerlove and his family. Their vineyard, perched atop the picturesque Jamieson Canyon, continues to produce remarkable Pinot Noir, a testament to their love for the land and their commitment to crafting wines that capture the essence of Napa Valley’s unique terroir. With each bottle, they invite wine enthusiasts to savor the beauty and flavor of this exceptional region, one sip at a time.

About The California Wine Club

Discover great wine with The California Wine Club. Since 1990, it’s been our wine club’s mission to help artisan wineries share their small-batch wines with wine enthusiasts everywhere. At The California Wine Club we happen to think these wines simply taste better than the mass-produced wines that dominate store shelves. Signature Series members will enjoy  Elkhorn Peak Cellars’ 2018 Estate Grown Reserve Napa Valley Pinot Noir their next delivery.

We visit the wineries, meet the families and winemakers behind the wines and then invite them to share their favorite wines with our wine club members. Every wine featured in our wine of the month club comes from a real-working winery.

 

Every Day a “Win” with Wine at Scenic Valley Farms

Brian Zielinski standing among moss-covered trees at Scenic Valley Farms in Oregon. People doing what they love – that is a joyful element of wine that is worth celebrating and on full display at Scenic Valley Farms in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Second-generation Owner Brian Zielinski is a good example of passion in action. Brian is in charge of managing the vineyards...

Brian Zielinski, second-generation Owner, manages the estate vineyards at Scenic Valley Farms in Oregon

People doing what they love – that is a joyful element of wine that is worth celebrating and on full display at Scenic Valley Farms in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Second-generation Owner Brian Zielinski is a good example of passion in action. Brian is in charge of managing Scenic Valley’s vineyards, and his feel for that task comes from his many years of helping his father, Bob, grow other crops like hazelnuts, green beans and cherries.

Brian has learned, however, that grapes are different.

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Get to know these recently featured wineries

Woman sitting with dog in a vineyard.

Founder/Winemaker Morét Brealynn shares her highly rated inaugural bottling with our members.

 

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Ask a Winemaker: What is Orange Wine and Why is it So Popular?

Scenic Valley Farms Winemaker Gabriel Jagle

Scenic Valley Farms Winemaker Gabriel Jagle

Orange Wine is the darling of the wine world, and we are featuring our first-ever orange bottling, a Pinot Gris from Scenic Valley Farms in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. We asked Scenic Valley Farms’ Winemaker Gabriel Jagle to give us the scoop on this trendy wine.

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A Tasteful Gift, Unboxed

A bottle of red wine, a bottle of white wine and a newsletter.

Treat someone to a fun and unique gift featuring award-winning, handcrafted wines from small, artisan wineries. We have a wine club gift for every taste and budget. Send as many gift months as you wish. Different wineries and wines are featured every month.

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Wine Clubs v. Wine Subscriptions v. Wine of the Month Clubs

Wine Clubs vs. Wine Subscriptions vs. Wine of the Month Clubs

What’s the difference?

Sometimes, there is no difference. These terms are often used interchangeably and can mean the same thing. But, colloquially, they also mean different things. A wine club is the term most often used by wineries. Whereas a wine subscription may not involve an actual winery at all, just wines made-to-order.

So where do we fall? The California Wine Club is a wine of the month club, which is like joining multiple winery clubs but with the convenience of a wine subscription.

Since we get this question often, we thought we’d break down the key differences here for you:

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Winery Without Walls

2 men with dog in a field of flowers

Richard Bruno and Chris Condos

Richard Bruno and Chris Condos

“Before, only rich people made wine,” says Winemaker Chris Condos. “But the rise of custom crush facilities changed that.” Chris and fellow Winemaker Richard Bruno founded Vinum Cellars in 1997 by maxing out their credit cards. “We put our money into the actual grapes instead of physical property. We were on the leading edge, but we didn’t know it.”

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Stock up on Wines You Will Love

Red wine pouring into a wine glass

Our Harvest Wine Sale is here. Savor the savings on wines handcrafted by small, artisan wineries. Half, full, and mixed cases ship for just $1, plus $5 for handling, and every wine comes with our Love It Guarantee.

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