Our Wines
A Heavenly Approach
Making unique Bordeaux and Rhone style wines that people enjoy drinking is our ultimate goal, so our award winning wines are small lot vintage varietals carefully selected from multilple appellations and blended by our talented winemaker, Derek Irwin. In the end, we want our wines to be smooth and fruit-forward, yet bold and complex, making approachable, easy-drinking wines that taste amazing by the glass or bottle.
Our Sierra Foothill wines start from premium grapes harvested at our estate grown St. Joseph’s Vineyard in Loomis, CA and from other premiere Sierra Foothills vineyards. Derek then crafts the delicious fruit into outstanding wines.
Double Gold Medal - 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
Limited Production -175 Cases
The 2020 MSJ Estate Cabernet Franc is our first from St. Joseph's vineyard in Loomis. It is medium bodied with nice tannin and acidity. Ready to drink now, this Cab Franc is loaded with currants and ripe strawberries. It has bramble, tobacco, juniper and a slight Bay leaf aspect from the mid-pallet throught the finish.
Limited Production - 40 Cases
This wine is medium/full bodied with bright acidity and moderate/high tannins. It tastes of plums, dark floral notes like violets, mushrooms and aromatics are a touch balsamic with tobacco, vanilla and mocha. Let it open for a bit and it changes nicely. As with the Petite Sirah, enjoy this Petit Verdot with roasted meats (e.g. lamb) or with a juicy burger with a heavy cheese.
Limited Production - 250 cases
Our Confession red blend is back! Aged for 16 months in American oak, the 2022 Confession is a Petite Sirah-based blend. This wine is medium bodied with evolved tannins and lucious red fruit. Although the beetroot and black currants are there, there is also a bright acidity showing more of the raspberry, tart strawberry and cherries. A subtle spice exists, with some white pepper. Enjoy with BBQ all day.
Limited Production - 250 cases
Our Confession red blend is back! Aged for 16 months in American oak, the 2022 Confession is a Petite Sirah-based blend. This wine is medium bodied with evolved tannins and lucious red fruit. Although the beetroot and black currants are there, there is also a bright acidity showing more of the raspberry, tart strawberry and cherries. A subtle spice exists, with some white pepper. Enjoy with BBQ all day.
Production - 70 cases
This is a fantastic Paso Chardonnay. It has great structure, medium oak and complete malolactic fermentation.
Silver Medal - 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
This Mourvedre has nice color with vibrant notes of blackberry, dark ripe plums and a herbaceous finish of fennel/tarragon. It teases with flavors and aromas of black pepper and game. It has moderate tannins and a slightly drying finish.
Limited Production - 74 cases.
95 Points - 2022 California State Fair
Production - 270 Cases
A great color, full-bodied Malbec with moderate tannins and nice acidity. Loads of black cherry, plum and mulberry aromatics which transfer to the palate, along with a touch of black olive, mocha and a little vanilla. Medium length finish. Pair with big fat slabs of fatty beef on the plancha. Upland game or even lamb would pair well.
Limited Production - 100 cases
From our second harvest from St. Joseph's vineyard, this is as varietal as it comes. With deep dark color this is a full-bodied Petite Sirah with moderate tannins. It has loads of spice, blackberries, anise/tea and from the barrels a little clove, mocha and cedar. Pair this wine with fattier cuts of meat right off the grill.
Limited Production - 130 cases
The only Meritage made in the Sierra Foothills appelation - this Bordeaux blend from St. Joseph's vineyard includes our Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot varietals. This Meritage is medium bodied, moderate tannins and acidity. Aromatics and flavors of ripe strawberry, raspberries, violets, and humus/bramble. A little ‘gamey’ as well which would make this wine pair well with any heritage pork loin, sausages, chops etc., particularly if there is any sage, marjoram, thyme etc. Pork enchiladas would also pair well.
