Calistoga, Napa Valley
$85 (Wine Club Reorder Price: $75)
Owned and operated by husband and wife, Jordan and Ciji Jeffries, we are the first wine store to sell their brand new wines! Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Jordan’s first exposure to the wine industry was at age 17 working as an intern for a small winery outside of Eugene. Taking the opportunity to learn as much as possible about all facets of the winemaking process, his experience solidified his interest in wine, ultimately taking him to UC Davis where he graduated with a degree in Viticulture and Enology.
With his sights set on Napa, Jordan moved to the valley and secured his first harvest internship following graduation. After a harvest spent abroad in Stellenbosch, South Africa, Jordan returned to Napa where he continued to deepen his experience working under and alongside some of the region’s most accomplished winemakers (Thomas Rivers Brown & Philippe Melka just to name a few…). In addition to being the winemaker for Lúnasa, Jordan currently serves as the Director of Winemaking for Brasswood’s new custom crush facility located in Calistoga. Quite the resume!
Lúnasa is an ancient celebration signifying the beginning of harvest, with traces back as early as the 15th century in Ireland and Scotland, typically taking place in the month of August. During Lúnasa, “harvest knots” crafted from wheat were commonly exchanged as a token of love and courtship. The harvest knot represented on their label is known as a “Double Heart – Farmer’s Knot”, which symbolizes a couple’s loving union and a farmer’s promise to return at the end of harvest.
If you drink this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon now I beg you to decant it and give it some time to breathe. Right out of the bottle you’re going to get a ton of oak flavors that need a little more time to integrate into the wine. With time, it will reveal a delicious wine that’s deep garnet in color with ruby hues, and has a subtle aroma of violet and cardamom. Initial notes of bing cherry on the palate open to a deep raspberry and currant body with a hint of white pepper. The tannins integrate to create a smooth, velvety mouthfeel with a long, delicate finish. As with any Napa Cab, pair this with your favorite red meats like Tri-Tip or Filet Mignon.
Taylor Morgan – August 2021
Bacchus & Venus Wines 