Fields of wheat and corn shimmer like fireflies under golden sunbeams across the Midwestern US. This is the heart of bourbon country. Nearly 2,000 miles away, vineyards stretch across the rolling hills of some of California’s most premier wine regions. Wheatridge Cellars seeks to bring these places together in one bottle through aging in bourbon barrels. VINEYARD INFO/REGION For this wine, we source grapes from California’s best growing regions. The climate is generally Mediterranean, though regions closer to the Pacific Ocean benefit from cool breezes. The 2017 vintage brought a close to the multiyear drought—filling reservoirs and bringing new life to cover crops, and then to the vines. Lots are selected to blend the characteristics from these varied regions. WINEMAKING/VITICULTURE From all across California, our winemaking team hand selects several grape varieties to use in our premium Red Blend. A portion of this wine then goes into used bourbon barrels, which impart the warm, caramel and coffee flavors of fine bourbon. Final blending helps to integrate both flavor profiles, creating a complex, multilayered wine. TASTING NOTES For this wine, traditional aromas of both premium red wine and bourbon mingle in the glass - black cherry, raspberry, molasses, and charred vanilla invite you in for a sip. On the palate, rich notes of black cherry and blackberry layer over brown sugar, coffee, and caramel. FOOD PAIRING: Summer vegetable ratatouille or barbecue glazed beef short ribs.