To New Beginnings!
- sallyblum
- Jul 1, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 9, 2024
I am excited to announce the launch of my winemaking consulting business, SJB Winemaking. This business came about organically, as I left my longtime position as winemaker for Pride Mountain Vineyards to take on a role elsewhere that didn’t end up being a good fit. When I departed, I decided to pivot into working for a new boss with extremely high expectations - myself. As I gear up for my first harvest with my new clients, I wanted to share my enthusiasm for the projects I’m currently focused on.
Mullan Road Cellars: while chatting about my future plans over a sandwich at the now defunct Gary’s Fine Wine in St Helena, my longtime friend Aaron Fishleder, VP of Operations for Cakebread Cellars, shared with me that he was struggling to find the right person to make Dennis Cakebread’s Mullan Road Cellars wines, sourced from some exceptional vineyards in the Royal Slope AVA of Washington State. Having visited Eastern Washington in 2018 as a speaker at that year’s Celebrate Walla Walla festival, I was already intrigued by the wines, and thought that this project would provide the perfect opportunity to explore making wine in an emerging region, with the significant advantage of having the backing of a storied Napa winery. I knew that the Cakebread team had an understanding of the importance of ultrapremium winemaking, as well as the internal willingness to support and promote the brand. This project has been a phenomenal adventure, as well as a tremendous amount of fun, for me.
Tamber Bey Vineyards: several days after taking on the MRC project, I reached out to a recent acquaintance, Barry Waitte, the owner of Tamber Bey and the president of the Oakville Winegrowers’ Association. I had gotten to know Barry through the OWG, and I really liked his energy and positive outlook. I wanted to talk to Barry about making some wine under my own label at his winery that fall. Barry said sure, and then surprised me by sharing that his present winemaker was moving on to another project, and would I be interested in joining his team? My immediate response was “I’ll take it!” And it has turned out to be the great fit that I knew it would be.
The Walls and Pášxa: a few weeks into working with my MRC and TBV projects, I received a text from a viticulturalist friend (and former roommate!) who had moved to Oregon. He asked if I was interested in speaking with a colleague of his who was relocating to Walla Walla, WA, to take on a GM role at The Walls and Pàšxa. I was familiar with The Walls wines, which had been my husband’s absolute favorite from among the wines we had tasted during our 2018 visit, and I knew that owner Mike Martin and I shared a connection to the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), so I eagerly agreed to a meeting. When I saw Mike’s incredible winery, with gorgeous concrete tanks and eggs, numerous sizes and shapes of French oak cooperage, a basket press, ultra-gentle destemmer, etc, I could not resist taking on this project. It's been a real pleasure to work with the onsite production team and to work some of the state’s most renowned vineyards, including Champoux, Quintessence, Rockgarden and more.
Others: to these core projects, I was able to add a few other smaller ones that tic’ed some of the boxes for what I wanted to do. Bansal Family – this beautiful estate on the slopes of the Vaca Mountains in the eastern side of the Oakville AVA is a passion project for me. Making hillside Cabernet Sauvignon from a hillside vineyard in Napa Valley’s “Goldilocks Zone” gives me tremendous joy. CourAvant – working with another longtime friend, the brand’s business manager Allen Balik, at this St Helena estate gives me the opportunity to work with some exceptional Merlot, which is a grape variety that I believe is due for a renaissance. Schoolhouse Vineyards – I made the Schoolhouse wines for 15 years at Pride. When the owners told me that they were looking for a new home, of course I wanted to support them.
This portfolio of projects will surely keep me inspired, challenged and busy throughout the 2023 harvest season. I couldn’t be more excited about the wines I will be making or the people I’ll be working with this year.
Wine Recommendations:
These three wines were made by the prior winemaking teams at Mullan Road, Tamber Bey and Pášxa. The wines are phenomenal. Taste them now, and then come back again and taste them again when my 2023’s are released!
2012 Mullan Road Cellars Cabernet Franc – an absolutely gorgeous library release. After 11 years in bottle, the texture is beyond supple, while the wine still holds onto the bright acidity and intense color that is the signature of Eastern Washington. At $45/bottle, the price makes this wine a steal. Available here:
2021 Tamber Bey Vineyards Deux Chevaux Cabernet Sauvignon – Tamber Bey’s estate vineyard in Yountville is the source for the winery’s series of Deux Chevaux vineyard-designate wines. I am currently loving this Cabernet Sauvignon, which is on the list at one of my favorite local restaurants, Mustard’s Grill, and is also available through the winery’s website:
2021 Pášxa White Wine Blend – Pášxa is The Walls’ owner Mike Martin’s ultrapremium brand focused on his estate vineyards located within the Rocks District of Milton Freewater. I love all of the Pášxa wines, but this Marsanne/Roussanne blend is a particular favorite. The wines are allocated to the mailing list, and I’ve also enjoyed this at Mike’s Walla Walla restaurant Passatempo:
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