2022 NEW RELEASE NEWSLETTER

Two stunning new wines for your summer enjoyment! Our latest mailer offers “pre-release” pricing on our 2021 Rose of Pinot Noir (a family labor of love) and our 2020 Kismet. (Earlier this year we entered the Kismet in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition where it was named “Best of Class” White Blend!) Something a bit different, we are also offering three vintage verticals of our Pinot Noir and our Merlot. “Verticals” are typically the same wine, from the same vineyard and same winemaker over successive vintages. Verticals help tasters chart the evolution of wines over time and identify differences in growing conditions year to year. We are offering 10% off purchase of one case or more and discounted shipping to our friends served by Golden State Overnight.

To read our complete mailer: 2022 New Release Mailer

To order wines online: Frostwatch Vineyard & Winery Purchase

To print out an order form: 2022 New Release Order Form

To order by phone: (707) 570-0592

2021 New Release Newsletter

Earlier this year we included the Frostwatch 2018 Bennett Valley Chardonnay among our entries to one of our favorite wine competitions - the 2021 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge. A few weeks later we were delighted to learn that the wine had won “Best of Show – White Wine”. Since that time, the wine has been reviewed by Erin Brooks of the Wine Advocate who observed “gregarious aromas of spiced apples, jasmine, roasted almonds and citrusy top notes….with appealing roundness to the texture, intense, ripe fruit character and a long savory finish”. Yum! Since we only produced 200 cases of this little gem, we want to make sure our mailing list customers have an opportunity acquire this wine at a “Pre-Release” price. We also have our current release wines on hand and we are offering 10% off purchases of one case or more and discounted shipping. For fans of Frostwatch Chardonnay, this is as close as you get to a sure thing!

To read our complete mailer: 2021 New Release Mailer

To order wines online: Frostwatch Vineyard and Winery Purchase

Print out an order form: 2021 New Release Order Form

Order by phone: 707-570-0592

2020 New Release Newsletter

Things are slowing down at the winery. Brett is still coaxing a few barrels thru their primary fermentations but by and large the hard work is behind us. We now turn our attention to wines that we will be releasing shortly. We are pleased to offer our 2017 Chardonnay, 2016 Pinot Noir and 2016 Merlot. Now thru the month of December, these wines are available at “Pre-release” prices. We also have our current release wines on hand. We are offering 10% off purchases of one case or more and discounted shipping. We invite you to make these wines part of your holiday festivities.

To read our complete mailer: 2020 New Release Mailer

To order wines online: Frostwatch Vineyard and Winery Purchase

Print out an order form: 2020 New Release Order Form

Order by phone: 707-570-0592

Join us at Region!

Many of you already know that Frostwatch wines are now available at Region in Sebastopol’s Barlow. The team at region has worked hard to create at safe outdoor environment where you can enjoy wine and food in a “low touch” setting. Frostwatch will be the featured producer the week of 9/14-9/20 and Brett will be on hand to introduce you to some very special wines. We have other activities planned for your enjoyment including a Winemaker Happy Hour on Wednesday 9/16 with delicious selections from the Farmer’s Wife. Check our Facebook page for more details! facebook.com/Frostwatch

Learn more about region: www.sonomamag.com/region-a-cutting-edge-wine-bar-opens-at-the-barlow

Big Spring Savings

Everyone is being impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic in one way or another. The Shelter in Place order encourages us to stay home and requires us to adapt to new daily routines whether it’s managing office workflow, home schooling children or meeting up with friends via ZOOM. Frostwatch understands these difficulties and is extending special pricing and discounted shipping on select wines thru May 15, 2020. It’s our way of trying to bring back a sense of comfort and normalcy to these crazy times. Don’t let life “on pause” stop you from enjoying great wine!

SPRING 2020 OFFER & ORDER FORM

2019 HOLIDAY CELLAR SELECTIONS

We are doing something a little bit different for this newsletter. We are “Re-releasing” a few of our favorite wines so that you can enjoy perfectly cellared Frostwatch at your holiday table and into the new year. We are offering 20% off case purchases and 30% off if you buy two or more cases between now and January 15th. Despite the very limited availability of most of these wines, we will have them available for tasting by appointment if you would like to try before you buy. We look forward to seeing you at the winery or at the vineyard before the end of the year!

2019 WAREHOUSE SALE NEWSLETTER

2018 New Release Newsletter

We are proud of all our wines but our 2015 Ophira Reserve Chardonnay has definitely out performed. We have just a few cases of this wine left and you can buy it, or its 2016 successor. In time for holiday celebrations, now thru January 15th you can take advantage of special discounts on our new wines and a handful of Library selections. We are offering 20% on purchases of one or more cases. We are offering 10% off if you buy less (but why would you?!?!) As if that weren’t enough, we are providing free shipping within California and a $20 credit toward the cost of shipping elsewhere in the United States. Like to try before you buy? Call and set up an appointment to taste anytime this month. We look forward to seeing you!

2018 ANNUAL NEWSLETTER

2017 NEW RELEASE NEWSLETTER

2017 will go down as a crazy and tumultuous year in Northern California.  Despite the challenges we have faced in connection with October’s ravaging fires, more than ever we feel blessed to live in Sonoma County.  In time for holiday celebrations, now through January 8th you can take advantage of special discounts on our new release wines.  We are offering 20% off of purchases of one or more cases. We are offering 10% off if you buy less (but why would you?!?!) As if that weren’t enough, we are providing free shipping within California and a $20 credit toward the cost of shipping elsewhere in the United States.   Like to try before you buy?  Call and set up an appointment to taste any time this month.  We look forward to seeing you!

2017 ANNUAL NEWSLETTER

2016 NEW RELEASE NEWSLETTER

While things are still booming at the winery, the pace of daily life at the vineyard has slowed dramatically and we are taking advantage of this brief respite to release our new wines to Frostwatch customers and friends just in time for the holidays.  Now through the end of November you can take advantage of special discounts on our new release wines.  We are offering 20% off of purchases of one or more cases.  As if that weren’t enough, we are providing free shipping within California and a $20 credit toward the cost of shipping elsewhere in the United States.   Like to try before you buy?  Call and set up an appointment to taste any time this month.  We look forward to seeing you!

2016 Annual Newsletter

Summer Tasting Fun

It's summer time and we are out and about pouring Frostwatch Wines.  So Cal friends can join us for a Winemaker Dinner Wednesday, July 27th at Chase’s in Old Town, La Verne.  The next night we’ll be in Ventura for a memorable pairing of food and wine at Café Zack. On August 21st we are scheduled to participate in the Family Winemaker’s San Francisco Tasting.  (We can’t wait to check out the new venue – the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27!)   Just before we head into Crush, we’ll be participating in the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend.  Since its inception, this Labor Day weekend event has raised over $20 Million for organizations that benefit our local communities.  We hope to see you at Taste of Sonoma at the Mac Murray Ranch in the Russian River Valley on Sunday, September 3rd.

Year End Media Frenzy

We enjoyed a new experience this past weekend.  We had a visit from Sonoma County radio personality Jeff Davis.  Jeff is the creative genius behind “On The Wine Road” which airs Saturday’s on 1350 AM KSRO and KSRO.com.  Owing to our listing in Sonoma Magazines Top 100 List, Jeff decided Brett would make a worthy subject for his weekly feature.  We expect his interview to air on December 12th.  A few days later, we were notified that Frostwatch had been included in a nice article for San Francisco Magazine.  As part of his four part series titled “Best Wineries You’ve Never Heard of in Sonoma County”, writer Ian White called Frostwatch “one of the County’s best wineries that have yet to be discovered by the masses” and singled out our Kismet as “Must Try Wine”.  Check out the article for more on Frostwatch and other must try wineries that fly below the radar.

http://www.modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/the-best-wineries-youve-never-heard-of-sonoma-valley

2015 New Release Newsletter

During the month of June, Frostwatch Customers are treated to special discounts on our new release wines.  We are offering 20% off of purchases of one or more cases plus free shipping in California.  If you need to ship outside of California, we offer a $20 credit against our cost to ship to your destination.   We are thrilled with the character and quality of this year’s lineup.  While we always strive to over deliver on quality relative to price, these “Newsletter Discounts” result in an unbeatable buying opportunity.  Like to try before you buy?  Call and set up an appointment to taste any time this month.

2015 Annual New Release Newsletter

2015 New Release Order From

Frost Watch 2015

This year our vines got off to an early start owing to mild March weather.  This month, the weather is more typical.  Fearing spring frosts, we are once again glued to the weather forecast, (several of them actually) and our own weather stations.  The weather station pictured is set up in a low spot and alerts us to falling temperatures before the bulk of the vineyard is at risk for frost damage.  In response to California's desperate water situation, like us, most growers are now protecting their crop with "Cold Air Drains,"  a modern spin on the giant propeller fans that used to be seen throughout wine country.   We maintain our overhead sprinkler system but will use it only for more extreme weather events.   Fingers crossed, we should be out of the woods by the end of the month!

The Sonoma County Vintners put the show on the road.....

First stop, Chicago!  The Vintners will take over the Drake Hotel on Tuesday, March 3rd with a lively program largely focused on Pinot Noir for industry professionals and consumers.  From there, the group will travel to Milwaukee.  Trade and media are invited to join in a Sonoma County "Master Class" on March 5th at Bacchus Restaurant on the shore of Lake Michigan .   We are thrilled to have the 2012 Frostwatch Ophira Chardonnay selected for a special tasting presided over by Master Sommelier, Evan Goldstein which will showcase wines from Sonoma's diverse AVAs.  Big thanks to Kari Flores (Crazy Flower Wines) who will be travelling to the Midwest next month to represent Bennett Valley! 

Almost Famous

North Bay Biz Special Wine Issue features Sonoma County Pinot Pioneer, Davis Bynum whose Westside Road Winery was a frequent stop for us when touring with out of town visitors back in the day.   Also included under “Vineyard Vignettes” is a nice little read on Frostwatch.  Great to get a nod when you are otherwise knee deep in Crush work!

http://www.northbaybiz.com/Bonus_Issues/NorthBay_biz_Wine/Vineyard_Vignettes_Tedeschi_Desmond_Wm_Cole_Frostw.php

Our Sleeper Shines - 2011 Merlot Review

We originally planted 9 acres of Merlot but soon decided that our Frostwatch Vineyard is a little too cool to reliably ripen fruit that would produce the rich, stylish wines that we enjoy.  We have since replanted or topped over all but one small block to other varieties better suited to our site.  2010 was a cool vintage and we never even picked our Merlot opting instead to feed the hungry starlings that swarm across Sonoma County after harvest to pick the vines clean.  2011 was another cool vintage but this time early, aggressive crop thinning allowed us to get the fruit ripe.  Originally, a little bit lean and tight, we hung on to this vintage allowing it to age for an additional year in bottle.  We are delighted with the result. This wine affirms our belief that Bennett Valley Merlot can be exceptional!

Harvest 2014 – Chardonnay is a Wrap

Bam!  The Chardonnay harvest is a wrap.  We started at 1:00 am and finished up at 6:00.  Approximately 17 tons, (Old Wente and Clone #4).  Four tons to our neighbors at Argot and the balance for Frostwatch.  That puts us on track to produce 780 cases of 2014 Chardonnay, up from 640 cases in 2013.   We are pleased because we have struggled to keep up with growing demand from thirsty friends in our largest market - Southern California.   More fruit means that we will also be able to make more Ophira, our reserve Chardonnay.  Ophira is a blend of our best barrels and usually consists of mostly of Old Wente fruit.  Old Wente is an heirloom clone which is characterized by small clusters, small berries, bright acid and big flavors.  Unfortunately, this clone is also known for lighter yields.  Our two youngest children were enlisted to help with last night’s pick.  Picking the two clones back-to-back made it easy for them to recognize and appreciate the difference in taste, cluster morphology and vine yield.  We will make aggies out of them yet!

Harvest 2014 – Pinot Night Pick

This year’s harvest is early and compressed.  With warmer weather it seems that all the fruit is getting ripe at once.  Warm daytime temps also mean night picks.  The crews are more comfortable, the fruit gets to the winery in good shape and we are almost always at the front of the line on the Crush Pad.   Our first pick of 2014 began Saturday at 1:00 am.  At 2:30 in the morning we lost one worker to a rolled ankle.  The rest of the guys finished up just as it began to get light.  We picked five tons of Pinot for Frostwatch and six tons of Sauvignon Blanc - three each Frostwatch and a Ryan Zepaltas project.   Our son Alec assisted on this pick before heading off to Cal Poly- San Luis Obispo on Sunday.  Looking forward now to getting the Chardonnay off by the end of this week.

Family Winemakers moves to San Mateo

Family Winemakers Tasting Sunday afternoon, August 17th at the San Mateo Event Center!

Family Winemaker’s was founded in 1991 to give voice and presence to small family wineries in the public policy arena.  With more than 500 member wineries, the organization is equally well known for its annual tastings that put wine lovers and professionals face to face with winemakers.   After being held at Fort Mason in San Francisco for as long as we can remember, this year’s Nor Cal event will take place at the San Mateo County Event Center.  We’ll be pouring our current lineup (2012 Kismet, 2012 Ophira – Reserve Chardonnay, 2012 Pinot Noir and 2011 Merlot) and a special new wine – Vice Versa, a proprietary blend which mirrors our Kismet blend.   Kismet is predominantly Sauvignon Blanc and quite dry while the Vice Versa is mostly Semillon with a hint of sweetness.      

Reviews From Connoisseurs Guide

Connoisseurs Guide To California Wine has always been one of our favorite wine magazines for reviews and insights into our local world of wine.  The folks a Connoisseurs taste wines in peer to peer blind tastings which are limited to two flights of eight to ten wines each.  Tasting panels are made up of industry professionals including sommeliers, retailers and wine writers.  We feel this puts all wines on an even playing field and eliminates any advantage that might inure to Rock Star brands or winemakers.   Frostwatch wines reviewed in the last six months include the 2011 Merlot (88pts), the 2011 Pinot Noir (90 pts), the 2012 Kismet (92 pts) and our 2012 Chardonnay (93pts).  In addition, the 2012 Kismet was declared one of the “Best Buys in the Market”.    Thank you Connoisseurs!