Glassmaker Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Jonathan Walton is owner and winemaker at Glassmaker Wine Co, which he founded in 2015. He works with organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards (some of which he farms himself) in Sonoma, Lodi, Contra Costa, and Monterey counties; the grapes vary depending on the site but range from Zinfandel, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Roussanne. This is a small operation, with total annual production only around 500-800 cases. Jonathan’s previous winemaking experience was with Brooklyn Oenology, Martinelli, Huia, and Failla. Jonathan is also the winemaker at Subject to Change. Glassmaker is his mother Phyllis' maiden-name and reflects that side of his family’s farming history from Iowa to California. All of the Glassmaker wines are produced the same way: spontaneous fermentation only, neutral barrels, no fining, no filtration, and minimal sulfur additions.

The entire Glassmaker line-up is made in a lighter, less-extracted style with generally low alcohol, approachable tannins, and very food & glou-friendly acidity. 

Winemaker's notes: The large double cordons, ripen slowly and retain blazing acid even in this quite hot site. The grapes were picked at the beginning of September and were partially destemmed, 50% onto of whole cluster, they were sealed and let to macerate for 1 week before being foot crushed. They finished fermentation with gentle punch downs every other day till dryness. 6 months of no battonage old barrel elevage before bottling with 10 ppm at bottling.

This has such a slice of lemon pith, white rose, and even some red fruit. An intense purity. I like it with grilled veggies, lots of garlic, halloumi, mussels, clams, and grilled steak with olive oil and oregano!