Glassmaker Tempranillo 2018

Jonathan Walton is owner and winemaker at Glassmaker Wine Co, which he founded in 2015. He works with organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards (some of which he farms himself) in Sonoma, Lodi, Contra Costa, and Monterey counties; the grapes vary depending on the site but range from Zinfandel, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Roussanne. This is a small operation, with total annual production only around 500-800 cases. Jonathan’s previous winemaking experience was with Brooklyn Oenology, Martinelli, Huia, and Failla. Jonathan is also the winemaker at Subject to Change (soon to arrive in the shop). Glassmaker is his mother Phyllis' maiden-name and reflects that side of his family’s farming history from Iowa to California. All of the Glassmaker wines are produced the same way: spontaneous fermentation only, neutral barrels, no fining, no filtration, and minimal sulfur additions.

The entire Glassmaker line-up is made in a lighter, less-extracted style with generally low alcohol, approachable tannins, and very food & glou-friendly acidity.