Josh Cellar's Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon Benefits Volunteer Firefighers

When you purchase wine, and you know that a portion of the sale will benefit a group or Not-For-Profit organization that is special to you, it makes the wine taste better.

Josh Cellars is the second label for Joseph Carr. The label is to honor his father, Josh. Josh was a volunteer firefighter. Joseph goes one step further in honoring his dad’s legacy by donating $1 for every bottle sold from his Josh Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi to the National Volunteer Fire Council or other local firefighter charities throughout the country.

This donation provides direct assistance to volunteer fire departments. Helps in programs for training, recruitment, retention, health and safety, and more.

Volunteer firefighters give their time to save you. They go through the same kind of training a paid firefighter does only it’s their expense. It’s their equipment, their gas that is coming to put the fire out at your home, save you in a car accident and sometimes rescue your cat. My brother-in-law is a volunteer fighter who took it to the next level and became an FDNY and is now retired.

These guys put their lives on the line for you. The least you can do is purchase a bottle of Josh Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi and know that $1 goes to supporting the volunteer firefighters. Josh will not disappoint.

Josh Cellars 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi $21.99 - Sourced from the Lodi region of California and aged in 25% new French Oak, this wine has aromas of cigar box, oak, coffee, and black cherry. The palate is soft and full of blackberry, blueberry, and dark berry with hints of vanilla that lead to a finish of coffee notes and drying tannins. Honestly, it’s a great everyday Cab.

Carignan - Beauty in a Glass

Last month on Winephabet Street we explored the Carignan grape with Tana Cole, Winemaker at Jessie’s Grove Winery in Lodi, California. We were also joined by the big boss - Owner Greg Burns.

Winephabet Street is a monthly series where Lori Budd of Exploring the Wine Glass and I work our way through the alphabet exploring wine and wine regions one letter at a time. The show is live on the third Monday at 8pm and is free, but you must register to attend. Put it on your calendar, pour yourself a glass of wine and hang out with us. (Dates do change due to our schedules)

Greg talks about the history of Jessie’s Grove Winery and it’s quite interesting. (no spoilers here, you have to listen or watch). Tana talks all about Carignan.

Carignan is a medium-bodied red wine, and the grapes are grown mostly in southern France. It is also grown in Spain, where it is known as Carinena. Jessie’s Grove Winery in Lodi, California, planted Carignan grapes in 1900. These vines are over 120 years old.

We got to taste the 2019 Jessie’s Grove Estate Carignane. This wine retails for $45. WOW! “It’s dense and complexity is beauty in a glass,” exclaimed Tana.

Very complex with layered aromas of cigar box, baking spice, cranberries and cinnamon. The palate is incredible. Very soft and romantic with notes of plum and cranberry. There is a meatiness and earthiness to the wine. It is very easy drinking and beautiful.

Watch the webinar or listen to the podcast and learn all about Jessie’s Grove Winery and the Carignan grape.

Webinar

Podcast

Mettler Family 100 Years Strong

Last year at this time I was exploring Lodi with some wonderful wine writers. What a wonderful time I had! Lodi was an area I knew about, but not really. I didn’t realize its proximity to San Francisco and Sacramento and I didn’t realize in addition to Zinfandel, all the other grapes that were grown in the region. The biggest thing I didn’t realize is that Lodi it’s a hidden gem!

Located in Lodi is Mettler Family Vineyards. I was lucky to visit Mettler during my Lodi trip and have dinner with Adam and Kim at the family home on the winery property. Then in the fall, I participated in an online tasting with Kim on their upcoming releases. I have to say, they are wonderful people, humble and their wines are outstanding and reasonably priced.

Family Affair

The Mettler family are farmers first. From Alsace (German) to the Dakota’s to California, they’ve been farming since 1899 and making wine since 1999. They are six generations down with the three generations currently working in the vineyard and winery.

It is a family affair. Adam is the winemaker. You might recognize his name as he won the 2018 Wine Enthusiast Winemaker of the year for Michael David Winery and the man behind 7 Deadly Zins. Adam does double-time as Director of Wine Operations at Michael David and winemaker for his family winery Mettler Family Vineyards. I did notice a lot of cross-pollination in Lodi among wineries. Lots of very talented folks.

Kim is the General Manager and her husband Jason the Vineyard Manager. Sister Kelly handles sales and Duke and Dash supervise.

The vineyards are Certified Sustainable through “Lodi Rules” which is a 3rd party certified sustainable winegrowing program. It promotes biodiversity, soil and water health, employee well-being with preserving the land for future generations. Along with that they are certified organic through CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers). This was an important milestone as their commitment to the land comes through in the quality of their wines.

Weeping Willow

Growing up I had a large weeping willow tree in my backyard. It makes such a statement of beauty, peace and love. On the site at Mettler they have a beautiful weeping willow tree by the pond. It began as a dog pond with the original owners letting their labs play in the water. The next owners put rocks around it. The site grew with each owner. Today the area where the weeping willow tree is known as the wedding picnic side of the property.

The tree is large and beautiful. So beautiful it is on the label for their Albarino and Muscat.

Wines

Mettler produces 12 wines and 4 out of the 12 are distributed nationally. They do produce a Pinotage which is only sold in the tasting room. There is only 60 acres of Pinotage in the state of California.

2018 Mettler Lodi Estate Grown Albarino - The Albarino vineyard is located in the Mokelumne River sub-appellation in the heart of Lodi. This region is known for its fine sandy loam soil, warm days and cool night. Mediterranean climate at it’s best. There are 3 acres of Albarino planted. Beautiful tropical fruit, lemon drop, lime, white peach, hints of minerality and white flowers SRP $19.99

2017 Mettler Lodi “Epicenter” Old Vine Zinfandel - This comes from the oldest Zinfandel vineyards on the ranch. The deep-rooted 50-year-old vineyard I the “Epicenter” of Lodi’s old vine Zinfandel district, hence the name. The wine spent 16 months aging in 80%% American oak, 20% Frenc oak. Of that oak 30% was new, 30% 1 year old and 40% was neutral oak. Luscious dark berries, black currant and vanilla aromas lead to blackberries, dark red fruit, hints of tobacco and cedar notes. SRP $24.99

2017 Mettler Lodi Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - The grapes for this Cabernet are grown in three Lodi sub-appellations. Jahant which is cool and dry and planted with 146 acres of Cabernet, Clone 7. Clement Hills that feature warmer and wetter weather planted with 14 acres of Cabernet clones 15 and 191. Mokelumne River where 77 acres are planted with Cabernet clones 337, 412, 338 and 7. The wine spent 16 months in oak with 40% new and 30% 1-year-old oak and 30% neutural French oak. A smoky nose with black currant leads to a wonderful palate of black cherry, leather, tobacco, cassis and vanilla. SRP $24.99

2017 Mettler Lodi Estate Petite Sirah - They have 33 acres planted with Petite Sirah in the Mokelumne River area. The wine spent 16 months in 40% new oak, 30% 1-year-old oak and 30% neutral French oak. Soft beautiful elegant mouthfeel but is a bold purple teeth wine. Soft tannins with blue and dark red fruit and a hint of dark chocolate. SRP $24.99

Lodi's German-Austrian Collection

When you think Lodi you think all things Zinfandel. Did you know there is a German side to Lodi where there are 51 varieties of German and Austrian grapes planted?

While I was in Lodi we met the Koth family, third generation grape growers. They grow the German-Austrian Collection. You may wonder why German grapes? In the 1990's Bob’s daughter Ann-Marie was in college studying in Germany. This led Bob and Marylou to visit where they fell in love with the German varieties. Upon his return, he studied the German varietals and now grows 51 of them at his Mokelumne Glen Vineyards called “The German Austrian Collection.”

The vineyard is located on the banks of the east side of the Mokelumne River. The rivers sandy loam, crushed granite soil lends itself to give the grapes the natural acidity needed as if in a Mediterranean climate.

The German Austrian Collection is gaining popularity with-in California. There are nine wineries that currently purchase grapes from the Mokelumne Glen Vineyards with interest from neighboring wineries in Napa and Sonoma.

All the wines that we tasted were very good, but the one standout for me was the Trailmarker Wine Company 2017 Lodi Blaufrankisch. The fresh expression of the fruit and bright acidity won my palate, I’d say blew me away. I am not a Blaufrankisch fan but the way this wine is produced makes if light, fun and enjoyable. I can even see it slightly chilled on a summers evening.

Listen to the podcast of our tasting of the German-Austrian Collection. You’ll hear from the owners of Mokelumne Glen Vineyards along with a few of the wineries that produce wine from purchasing their grapes. You’ll get a feel of the winemakers and owners and the passion they have for what they do.