2025 Estate Rosé

ABOUT ESTATE ROSÉ

Winemaker Marcus Notaro was initially inspired to craft this exceptional Rosé so guests could savor it during the sun-drenched summer days at the FAY Outlook & Visitor Center while admiring the panoramic views of the Stags Leap Palisades. This delightful wine is produced from carefully selected grapes sourced from our estate vineyards. The style is fresh and vibrant, brimming with lively notes that make it the perfect choice for enjoyment during the summer or throughout the year.

VINEYARD & WINEMAKING

This Estate Rosé showcases the art of blending that results in a vibrant and complex wine that beautifully represents both our winemaker's vision and the unique characteristics of the two grape varieties. It is composed of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon (from Twin Creeks estate vineyard) and 32% Cabernet Franc from our esteemed S.L.V. and FAY estate vineyards in the renowned Stags Leap District appellation. The captivating and intense color of this Rosé is achieved through a careful three-hour soaking process, followed by fermentation and a meticulous six-month aging period in stainless steel. 

VINTAGE

The 2025 growing season unfolded with a classic start, as bud break arrived on time followed by moderate spring conditions and ideal weather during bloom, setting the stage for strong fruit development. The season took a distinctive turn in early summer, with an unusually cool July marked by persistent morning cloud cover that often lingered until midday. This extended cool period slowed sugar accumulation and allowed the vines to progress with minimal stress, delaying the need for irrigation until later in the season. 

As harvest approached, the absence of heat spikes preserved freshness and balance in the fruit, though intermittent rain events introduced a more complex rhythm to picking decisions. These periods of rain, followed by brief windows of dry weather, created a stop-and-start harvest dynamic that required careful coordination between vineyard and cellar teams. 

Despite those challenges, the fruit came in beautifully, with slightly larger, fuller clusters and lower overall sugar levels, reflecting the cooler growing conditions. Harvest timing extended later than average, but the lack of extreme heat allowed for steady, even ripening. 

The resulting wines are a clear expression of the vintage. The white wines show lifted aromatics, varietal precision, and bright, vertical acidity with persistent, clean finishes. The red wines are equally expressive, offering aromatic depth and a refined structure, with Cabernet Sauvignon in particular displaying lush yet elegant tannins and a sense of balance that speaks to the even, unhurried ripening of the season.  

TASTING NOTES

The 2025 Estate Rosé is fragrant and lifted on the nose. It reveals delicate aromas of ripe strawberry, fresh blossoms, jasmine tea, lychee, and hints of melon. On the palate, it is bright and energetic, with a vibrant, thirst-quenching acidity that carries the wine effortlessly. Layers of red currant and Bing cherry unfold with clarity, leading to a polished, lingering finish marked by freshness and finesse.