Love and Rockets, a cosmic red blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Valdiguie, Négrette, and Viognier, is here to ignite your senses and launch your palate into orbit.
Our journey began in the Green Valley Vineyard of Solano County, where we first encountered these exceptional Zinfandel and Valdiguie vines while harvesting French Colombard for our 2021 Future Fckboy. Nestled against the Vaca Mountains, a stone's throw from the cool mists of San Pablo Bay, this unique terroir boasts a dramatic diurnal shift. Warm days surrender to cool, foggy nights, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and develop layers of captivating complexity and vibrant acidity.
Zinfandel, a varietal with truly astronomical versatility, holds a special place in our hearts. In 2022, we were thrilled to introduce a new player to our cellar: a magnificent 730-gallon foudre (pronounced foo-druh). This traditional oak vessel works its magic to create a red wine that's irresistibly soft, plush, and juicy.
To further enrich the blend, we incorporated a touch of Syrah and Viognier from the sun-drenched slopes of Shakeridge Vineyard in the Sierra Foothills, and a whisper of Négrette from the enigmatic Stiletto Vineyard in San Benito County. After 18 months of slumber in barrel, Love and Rockets emerged in the spring of 2024, ready to share its celestial secrets. The result? A red wine that's effortlessly smooth and impossibly versatile, pairing seamlessly with everything from a festive roast turkey to a creamy tikka masala.
With the first pour, a symphony of aromas erupts from the glass: cardamom, cinnamon, and the nostalgic scent of white chocolate cranberry cookies, all accented by a hint of earthy rosemary. On the palate, the journey continues with an explosion of flavor. A wave of dried fruit gives way to bright bursts of cherry and strawberry jam, culminating in a vibrant acidity that dances through a luxuriously creamy finish.
Adorning the bottle is artwork by Cicero Spin, a self-taught Brazilian artist who creates mixed media pieces inspired by the nostalgia of vintage comics, space, old books, and a taste for adventure. Love & Rockets features a love-fueled astronaut, wide-eyed and daring, this voyager is searching for something as boundless as the cosmos. It’s a high-stakes gamble: take the rocket, leave everything behind, risk it all for the barest shot at true connection. Because sometimes, you’ve got to go beyond gravity’s pull to find the real.
So fasten your seatbelt, pour a glass, and prepare for liftoff. 🚀
