Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is really refined and fresh with sliced apple and lemon aromas. Hints of stone too. Medium to full body, an almost salty undertone. Medium finish. Bright and tangy. Gorgeous limey undertone.
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Wine Enthusiast
This white is a study in unexpected complexity and pleasure. Quince, sulfur and grapefruit notes define it best, as supple minerality and gravelly texture provide dimensionality.
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In 2005 after a decade of building their highly acclaimed flagship Napa Valley estate, Amici Cellars’ proprietors, John Harris and Bob Shepard, launched its sister brand, Olema, a distinct collection of wines that are focused on fruit and terroir, well-balanced in structure, excellent everyday wines.
The stand-alone brand is recognized for its portfolio of thoughtfully crafted, approachable wines. Under the direction of Amici Cellars’ skilled winemaking team, Olema has swiftly grown a fan following with wine critics and customers for its classic varietals and fresh new look.
At Olema the goal is to bring the best possible fruit to the cellar. The more the vines are in balance, the better the fruit, and the better the fruit, the easier it is to make great wine. From when the grapes arrive at the winery to when the wine is bottled, the Olema team ensures that its wines are both true to their classic varietal characteristics and growing regions.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.