Product Showcase Fine Wine

The holidays on the acreage are a time for gathering, reflection and enjoying the comforts of home. Whether it’ s a quiet night by the fire or a festive meal in a rustic dining room, the right bottle of wine can set the tone.

From the fruit-forward California Pinot Noir of Belle Glos to the structured Napa Valley Cabernet of Duckhorn, the bold Zinfandel of Whale Rock and the sparkling Angie Blanc de Blancs, these selections bring warmth, flavor and a touch of celebration to winter evenings on the land.

BELLE GLOS CLARK & TELEPHONE PINOT NOIR

CORK TREE VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON

On a west-facing hillside in Napa Valley, the 2022 Duckhorn Vineyards Cork Tree Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon captures the nuances of its site. The estategrown blend is 95 % Cabernet Sauvignon, with small additions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Cool nights and ample sun exposure produced grapes with concentrated flavors, balanced acidity and firm, round tannins. The wine offers aromas of blackberries, black cherry cola, olive and subtle savory spice, with palate notes of graham cracker pie crust that extend through a long, structured finish. The 2022 vintage followed an early budbreak, steady spring and summer warmth and careful vineyard management during modest mid-September rains, allowing grapes to mature fully over an 11-week harvest.

The wine was aged 18 months in 100 % French oak, 85 % new and 15 % neutral. Duckhorn Vineyards, established in 1976, continues to produce estate Cabernet Sauvignons that reflect the character of their individual vineyards and vintage conditions.

Duckhorn Wine Company | www. duckhornwineshop. com

The 2023 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir is a California red wine bottled at 14.7 % alcohol by volume( ABV) in 750-milliliter formats.

The wine exhibits a deep scarlet-red color with aromas of blackberry bramble, nutmeg and subtle caramel. On the palate, it presents fresh and lively flavors of strawberry jam, ripe black cherry, cranberry and warm gingerbread. The structure is balanced, with velvety tannins and a bright acidity that supports the fruit, while a hint of toffee extends through a long finish.

Belle Glos, under the Clark & Telephone label, produces this Pinot Noir as part of its California portfolio, emphasizing varietal expression and approachability. The 2023 vintage continues the winery’ s focus on rich, fruit-driven styles that reflect the state’ s climate and vineyard practices. This release aligns with broader trends in California Pinot Noir, highlighting ripe fruit, balanced structure and extended flavor persistence.

Belle Glos | belleglos. com

WHALE ROCK ZINFANDEL

PHOTO: Castoro The 2022 Whale Rock Zinfandel comes from the estate’ s CCOF-certified organic vineyard in Paso Robles. The vintage experienced a significant heatwave, producing smaller berries with concentrated flavors and deep color, giving the wine a distinctive intensity. A small portion of Petite Sirah was included in the blend to enhance structure and color.

The wine was aged for 14 months in American oak barrels, which contributed subtle notes of vanilla and spice. Aromas include blueberry and black fruit, while the palate offers layers of cherry, pepper and warm spice, supported by firm acidity that maintains balance. The result is a bold Zinfandel that reflects the vineyard’ s conditions and the vintage’ s challenges.

The 2022 Whale Rock captures both the character of its Paso Robles site and the concentrated profile typical of warm-climate Zinfandel, offering a structured, flavorful expression of estate-grown fruit.

Castoro Cellars | castorocellars. com

40 AcreageLife December 2025 AcreageLife. com