"Zepponi has worked at Beringer, Foster's Wine Estate, Mark Anthony (in Okanagan BC, where Mike's Hard Lemonade and White Claw originated), among others, and took over Cuvaison and sister brand Brandlin Estate nine years ago. He's been replanting vigorously to replace pinot noir that contracted a virus and to add the Sancerre clone of sauvignon blanc, which makes their 2023 Brandlin Estate SB from Mt. Veeder such a gem."
"Steve Rogstad, who's been Cuvaison's winemaker since 2002, make it in specially treated cigar-shaped barrels that are steam bent to eschew the toasty caramel of the 50% new wood. "Everyone has chardonnay, but this sauv blanc is in the perfect spot to get ripe enough to avoid pyrazines while maintaining just enough acid," Zepponi said. "We actually pick it after our pinot noir.""
Dan Zepponi grew up in the wine industry and leads Cuvaison and Brandlin Estate. Zepponi has worked at Beringer, Foster's Wine Estate and Mark Anthony before taking over nine years ago. He has replanted pinot noir damaged by virus and added the Sancerre clone of sauvignon blanc, producing a standout 2023 Brandlin Estate SB from Mt. Veeder. Steve Rogstad has been Cuvaison's winemaker since 2002 and uses specially treated, steam-bent cigar-shaped barrels to avoid the toasty caramel of heavy new oak. The sauvignon blanc sits in a site ripe enough to minimize pyrazines while retaining acid. The 2020 Brut Cuvée involves collaboration with Domaine Carneros. The Carneros wine community remains tightly connected.
Read at The Mercury News
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