Spring 2018 Release!

2018 is going to be a memorable year for me...

It is the 5-year anniversary of Whetstone being open at the chateau; I am officially half a century old, and my first born is heading off to college. Talk about a year of growth and change! I say -bring it!

I read somewhere that your face at 25 is the one God gave you and your face at 50 is the one you've earned. So perhaps instead of wrinkles, I should call them life lessons and experiences.
 
When I joined Jamey full time to run Whetstone Wine Cellars, I had no wine industry experience and wasn't exactly sure what my part in all of this looked like. All that changed, however, one fateful day in the winter of 2011 when I found the chateau that is now the Whetstone tasting salon.

There isn't much separation for me between work and home life. I treat work as an extension of my home and making friends out of strangers is one of the most wonderful things about being in this business. I love to hear guests say how comfortable they feel when they walk into Whetstone, as if they'd walked into a friend’s living room.

While the path is not always straight, I believe in perseverance, grace under pressure, and providing a space where women can grow, be their best selves, and empower each other. In a male dominated industry, this is one of the many things that makes Whetstone unique. If you've been to Whetstone and met our team, you know the women I'm referring to. My vision would not be possible without the dedication and thoughtfulness they bring each day.

As for my first born, it would be selfish of me not to share him with the world. I can only hope that one day his path will lead him unexpectedly back to Napa (like it did me) and, perhaps, to run the family business.

I'm often asked about how the tasting notes for Whetstone wines come about and, as all things in the business, our dream team of women are part of the process. 

So, without further ado...our Spring release wines:

2016 pleasant hill PINOT NOIR

TASTING NOTES:  Aged 16 months in 35% new French oak barrels, sur lees. Dark purple in color. Really expressive nose of dark cherry and baked blackberry pie with spicy, perfumey notes of Asian spice. Secondary wafts of rose petal, orange peel, and black tea. Velvety flavors of Bing cherry cobbler, dark cherry cola and orange peel. Mouth-watering acidity with long finish of tea, baker’s chocolate and tarragon.

2016 catie's corner VIOGNIER

TASTING NOTES: Barrel fermented in neutral French oak and aged for 16 months sur lees. Golden straw in color. Big nose full of honeysuckle, bright peach, pear liquor, and floral apricot. Background notes of bees wax, marscapone, and thyme. Mouthful of stone fruits, orange runts, and liquid minerals. Finishes long and bright with hints of mango, hazelnut, and touch of salinity.

2016 terra de promissio PINOT NOIR

TASTING NOTES: Aged for 16 months in 35% new French oak barrels, sur lees. Garnet in color. Floral rose petal, with pretty notes of wild strawberry perfume and sassafras tea. Secondary notes of Asian spice, thyme and clove. Bright, medium to full-bodied flavors of pomegranate, plum and black mission fig. Finishes long with great acidity and notes of orange pekoe tea, a hint of tobacco and fine tannins.

All three are worthy of celebration, so SHOP NOW!

To make celebrating easy, we're offering 
COMPLIMENTARY SHIPPING
for CASE ORDERS (12+ bottles) now thru March 31st!
 
Simply use the code: CELEBRATE 

With that said...Let’s celebrate all the women who have earned a place at the table in the wine industry and beyond!

- Michelle Whetstone