WINES
The Collection
Specific sites within
SONOMA, NAPA
& SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
& SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
It’s a well-known fact that before I felt my calling to study Viticulture and Enology in France, I studied Chemical Engineering. What is less known is that I’ve always had a little bit of a bohemian spirit in me who wanted to become a philosopher. Now that I look at all the wines made from dedicated vineyards, specific locations and clones, I can see my journey reflected in my choices of these places. The Hero with a Thousand Faces, the mythic structure of Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth, inspired me to the names of this series of wines.
The different steps in my journey in life and as a winemaker are reflected in the wines you will taste. And just as I chose those specific winegrowing sites, I hope you will relate to them through your own journey.
the site
location
Choosing a site to make wine that would showcase its inner essence takes time, motivation, and a clear understanding of what you want to obtain from it.
In 2011, I started Cattleya Wines with one single barrel (equivalent to 25 cases, or 300 bottles) of Syrah from the Soberanes Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, an opportunity granted by my in-laws to work with their exceptionally farmed fruit that I still treasure today. In addition to the distinct vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands farmed by the Pisoni family, I venture throughout Sonoma and Napa Valleys, choosing unique locations with the purpose of crafting site-specific and sub-appellations terroir driven wine.
Enjoy this symbolic series of wines that are the culmination of a dream and my soul’s desire to turn a distant notion into something tangible. Know that I put my entire heart and soul into each wine. From our winery to your wine glass: enjoy, cellar, and share them while discovering California at its best.
chardonnay
Beyond the Threshold
Delicate pale gold in hue, this coastal Chardonnay opens with alluring aromas of freshly baked Meyer lemon curd, night-blooming jasmine, orange blossom, and a hint of toasted almond. On the palate, it reveals a refined complexity with precise structure, all balanced by a beautifully rounded texture. The finish lingers with a vibrant burst of tangerine, leaving a lasting impression of brightness and finesse. Poised and graceful, this wine is built to evolve elegantly with time. Enjoy now through 2040.
Chardonnay
The Temptress
The 2021 vintage marks the second iteration of The Temptress. The wine is born from 16 years old vines growing in the heart of the Russian River Valley. This is a special selection of Old Wente clone that will entice your taste buds to unknown territories.
The tight spacing of these meticulously farmed rows produces fruit with exceptional intensity and concentration of color and flavor. The end result is a wine of unmistakable purity that reflects the unique relationship between a truly special piece of land and the ideal climate that surrounds it. Harvest took place in the early morning hours of September 1st to the 6th. All of the fruit was gently whole-cluster pressed and the juice was cold-settled overnight before racking to barrel the next day for native fermentation in 60% new French oak barrels. Primary fermentation continued steadily over the following four months, followed by full malolactic fermentation. After an additional 18 months of peaceful aging in barrel, this wine was gently racked to tank before being bottled without fining or filtration.
pinot noir
Belly of the Whale
With a vibrant ruby core that fades to a delicate purple rim, this Pinot Noir captures the essence of the untamed character of Sonoma Coast. Intense aromatics of coastal herbs, sandalwood, tart Bing cherries and soft forest floor notes rise from the glass. On the palate the wine reveals notes of cranberry, blood orange zest, and strawberry supported by firm tannins with bright, maritime-influenced acidity. Youthful and bold today, this wine promises to evolve with elegance and finesse over time. Enjoy now through 2045.
Pinot Noir
The Goddess
Pure luxury from the first glance, this Pinot Noir features a deep crimson core framed by a vivid fuschia rim. Aromas of soft red roses, ripe raspberries, savory coastal herbs and cool morning ocean breeze rises from the glass. On the palate, the wine is indulgent and layered, offering supple red fruit, violets and a whisper of spice. Silky, refined tannins with vibrant acidity provide a graceful structure, culminating in a long, sophisticated finish.
syrah
The Reward
At the end of your quest, the Reward awaits. This is a new wine, created from cuttings I carried over from France. After nearly a decade of nurturing these vines, we finally see the fruits of our labor bear our own reward. Small bunches of jewel-like Syrah yield intense wine with exquisite finesse.
The final step in the journey awaits, where the most challenging trials are recognized we reap the bounty of our efforts. The Reward is as opulent as the most prized of treasures bestowed upon any hero. This Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah comes from our Family Ranch Vineyard and tastes of dusty red berries, dried herbs, bacon fat, and a hint of fresh earth that leads to a finish that is balanced by tannin and acidity, ensuring a long life ahead. We recommend aging your Reward for up to 10 years.
Syrah
The Initiation
The Soberanes Vineyard is located in the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation in Monterey County, amid the sandy loam soils, boasting significant sub-soil boulders layered into the alluvial fan. Meticulously farmed by the Pisoni & Franscioni families, the vines thrive in this cool site among foggy mornings and Pacific winds. The cold temperatures, the wind funneling from the Monterey Bay, and the perfect exposure of the rows to light and wind make this site perfectly suited for Syrah. This wine is composed of Alban Clone 1, a selection massale from Côte Rôtie.