Calera Wine Company
Calera Wine Company owns the only vineyards in the Mount Harlan AVA. Founder Josh Jenson learned how to grow grapes and make wine in Burgundy.
| Region: | San Benito County |
|---|---|
| Sub Region: | Mount Harlan |
| Wine: | View all wines |
Jenson’s mentors always insisted that the region’s limestone soils and cool, breezy weather was a critical part of their wines’ success. After returning to the United States, he began looking for a piece of property to plant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
He found what he was looking for on a rocky outcrop of the Gabilan Mountain Range called Mount Harlan. It is one of the coolest, most elevated AVAs in California. The region also has limestone soil that is ideal for growing Burgundian varietals.
Jenson originally planted 24 acres of Pinot Noir vines and has been expanding ever since. In addition to Burgundian grapes, Jenson also produces Viognier which is from the Northern Rhone Valley. The winemaking facilities are located in the Cienega Valley AVA. Jenson plans to plant 30 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Cienega Valley in the future.
Jenson is also one of the few American members of the highly respected Academie Internationale du Vin. A less dedicated individual could not have made wine production a reality from grapes grown on Mount Harlan.
jwino30 said:
interesting brad, i'm going to try their mount harlan calera chard first. thanks for your insightful response.
Posted 718 days ago.
bradny said:
I wouldn't characterize Jenson's Chardonnay as being "buttery," although it is aged in oak. But the malo is very controlled, not full-blown like many Napa Chards. He seems more interested in balance than blockbuster wines.
Posted 718 days ago.
jwino30 said:
That sounds right up my alley, i love buttery Chards. Which one of their wines would you reccomend trying first?
Posted 737 days ago.
wineguy55 said:
Jenson is an American master of Chardonnay. He balances oak and malo so incredibly well. Very few New World Chardonnays compare.
Posted 737 days ago.