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 - 56 cases.
This dry Rose is light and crisp with aromas of nectarine, watermelon and white peach followed by a soft, sensual finish.
Silver Medal - 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
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 Meritag 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.
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.
Production - 112 Cases
Our 2019 Zinfandel is from the heart of Zin country - Lodi. Extended barrel aging resulted in a rich, fruit forward, full bodied Zin., It is spicy yet jammy....delicious!
Silver Medal - 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
With grapes from a special Loomis vineyard, this wine is a delight in color and taste. Medium-bodied with light tannins and bright acidity. Aromas of cherries, blackberries, and mocha tease the taste buds with thyme and rosemary completing the finish.
Gold Medal - 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competiton
Limited Production - 56 cases
This Cab Franc has great color. It is full-bodied red with aromas of raspberries, strawberries, violets and a touch of anise. Aromas transfer to the pallet along with smoke and vanilla. Moderate ripe tannins and nice acidity make this a very nice food pairing. Fantistic with some saltimbocca. Try pairing with pork enchiladas or any marinated pork dish.
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.
Production - 120 Cases
This is our third Pinot Noir - the red fruity brightens across the palate with raspberry and spice balanced by the French toasted oak aromas. It is soft and silky through the middle and finishes leaving a juicy memory in the mouth with just the right acidity and a pleasant mouth-feel.
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.
