January 3, 2018January 3, 2018Refining Winemaking

Wrapping up 2017 – A day at Stolpman

A Photo Essay by guest photographer John Lichtwardt featuring Our Founder, Tom Stolpman Our Winemaking Crew, including wine maker Kyle Knapp & assistant Matt Nocas…

December 5, 2017Tasting Discoveries

Tom’s Holiday Picks

This holiday season I’ve selected three wines that have all reached that magical time when they are “ready,” that is, the wines have been…

November 8, 2017November 8, 2017Refining Winemaking

2017: Breaking the Cycle

A Pattern Emerged: Odd Numbered Vintages v. Even Numbered This decade’s vintage variation revolves around subtle differences in temperature and timing. Early season wind and…

August 1, 2017August 1, 2017Stolpman Folks

Nebbiolo, The ‘Tough’ Guy.

Nebbiolo might be the toughest European vinifera grape for New World winemakers to craft. Attempts to make compelling expressions of the grape seldom…

June 28, 2017Tasting Discoveries

The Joy of Magnums: Celebrate and Collect

The birth of our son, August James, brought home the fact that Stolpman Vineyards needs to produce more large-format bottles. Rather than wait for Auggie’s…

June 21, 2017Vineyard Revolution

Own Rooted Vines: The Risk

Today, Stolpman Vineyards stands at 41% own-rooted, with over 100,000 vines on their own European Vinifera roots. While this exposes us to the risk of…

May 16, 2017Vineyard Revolution

Heat & Wind

The beginning of May brought with it the first heat-wave of the year, with temperatures on the vineyard climbing above 90 degrees. The warmth and…

April 12, 2017Vineyard Revolution

Winter Rain and its Implications – Drought, Weeds and Sheep

A panelist at Rhone Ranger’s 2016 San Francisco Seminar said it best, “there is only one vintage in California, and that is Napa Cabernet.” One…

March 16, 2017Vineyard Revolution

Flow Theory: One with the Vine

Vineyard Manager Ruben Solorzano returned from his research trip to Burgundy brimming with excitement and new ideas. Ruben identified the major difference in approach between…

February 6, 2017February 6, 2017Tasting Discoveries

‘Love You Bunches’ – A whimsical label for a whimsical wine

The story of our new Carbonic Sangiovese label goes back to August of 2016, when our friends Emily and Patton Penhallegon served the 2015…