Caleb Leisure 'Mother Sees’ 2022

"Caleb Leisure Wines is a small natural wine project based in Glen Ellen, CA. In 2014, after career adventures in academia and cheese, after formative internships in the Languedoc-Roussillon and Jura regions of France, I returned to my native California. I was fortunate to land an apprenticeship with Tony Coturri of Coturri Winery, where I have been given a little space for my own project. 2016 was my first vintage, and before the 2017 harvest I buried ten authentic Georgian qvevri in the earthen cellar. My winemaking is guided by ancient Georgian traditions and by properly grown organic and biodynamic California fruit. No additions or subtractions of any kind are made at any point of the winemaking process." - Caleb Leisure

These Rhone whites from Sumu Kaw vineyard were the first grapes I ever purchased back in 2016. Emotional attachment aside, I adore this fruit. And after the '21 vintage was wiped out due to smoke I'm especially pleased to release this wine. This is a lighter approach than I normally take with this fruit (which often sees a 7 month maceration), just a kiss of skins. Delicate and fresh.

TASTING NOTES: Mineral, Stone-fruit, Pear, Herbaceous 

PRODUCTION NOTES: Fermented and aged in qvevri and steel. 2-day maceration.  

VARIETAL: 50% Viognier, 25% Marsanne, 25% Roussanne

APPELLATION: El Dorado, Sierra Foothills

SOIL: Volcanic loam, decomposed granite

VINES: 28 years old