Winemaker Notes
Apothic is a California winery that specializes in blends. Learn about the origin of the Apothic name, Apothic’s approach to winemaking, and the flavors of its flagship Apothic Red wine.
The Origin and Meaning of the Apothic Name
Inspired by "Apotheca," a mysterious place where wine was blended and stored in 13th century Europe, the wines of Apothic are truly unique in style and taste.
Apothic’s Winemaking Process
Apothic winemaker, Debbie Juergenson, crafts bold, captivating blends by using only the most distinctive California grapes. Each vintage, she lets the grapes guide the way from the vine to the cellar, crafting a collection of unforgettable wines, including Apothic Red, White, Dark, Crush, Inferno and a limited selection of seasonal releases.
To craft Apothic wines, Debbie looks for a unique blend of grapes to create intense aromas and bold flavors. "I strive to tell a story with each blend of Apothic," Debbie explains. "Whether it's one of drama, intrigue or romance, the wines of Apothic are truly original."
The Flavors of Apothic Red
Apothic Red wine is a masterful red blend featuring rich Zinfandel, smooth Merlot, flavorful Syrah, and bold Cabernet Sauvignon. These unique elements come together to create a red blend with layers of dark red fruit complemented by hints of vanilla and mocha.
A major force on the global playing field, California is the world’s fourth largest wine-producing region on the planet and the majority of land under vine here is devoted to red varieties, covering nearly double the vineyard acreage of whites.
While the state’s incredibly diverse terrain and microclimates allow for countless red wine styles, the one factor unifying all California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season, which leads to well-developed and fully ripened fruit.
The most famous region today, of course, is the acclaimed Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king.
Sonoma County, nestled between Napa Valley and the Pacific Ocean, claims great variability in geography and microclimates. Here world-class Pinot Noir is possible from Sonoma’s cooler sites while old, gnarly Zinfandel vines survived Prohibition.
The Central Coast, Lodi and the Sierra Foothills also excel in the production of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and remain active frontiers for newer varieties, namely Rhône and Spanish.
The cool Anderson Valley in California’s North Coast region is a fantastic source of Pinot noir.
