Wine for everyone.... if you want it.

When the futures arrive, it's like getting "presents".  Our sincere thanks for the vote of confidence from all our supporters.  After overcoming supply chain issues, we finally got the 2017 Napa Valley "Oakville" Cabernet Sauvignon bottled.  

It is now my task to customize and hand label each bottle for those select few, but what a wine, and what a treat to have something unique and special in your cellar for those special occasions, special friends, or just when you are in the mood.  

We reccommend letting the wine rest for a few weeks, but if you just have to know how this turned out hey, its yours, open it whenever you wish.  I am confident that you are going to love this special wine, all 50 cases of which sold out in advance.

So, maybe next time jump on the wagon a little sooner and secure your supply.

As supply chains are still slow recovering, and with bottling timing being rather important, we made the decision that rather than wait and keep the next offering at barrel tasting, we went ahead and bottled this unique offering which will now be available for a limited time.

The 2019 Estate "Wadenswil Clone" Pinot Noir is the perfect wine for this time of year.  Delicate and diaphanous, yet perky and alluring, this gorgeous wine waltzed from barrel to bottle so elegantly it is a beauty to behold.  Brilliant as a Mexican fire opal, and just as sought after there are only 45 cases of this captivating creation.

So.... instead of futures, this wine will be offered by allocation only, by the case only, and at the winery only.  Retail price for this wine would be $38, but secure your allocation and take 50% off, at the case level just $19.  $228 for a case!! Come on!!

This is the perfect candidate for the hot days ahead when you still want a red wine.  Cool this baby down to 54-56 degrees and see its vibrant nature truly shine.  Want some?  email jorth@ektimowines.com, or for a limited time it will be available for tasting to club members at the winery by reservation.    

May 19, 2022 at 4:13 PM Permalink

2017 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Futures Sold Out!!

So........ we hope you reserved yours in plenty of time, because the 2017 Napa Valley "Oakville" Cabernet Sauvignon futures are now sold out.  

Once we get some bottles (which is its own issue) the wine will be bottled and either shipped or available according to the instructions on your order.  

This unique custom label will be carefully applied by hand by yours truly making this a priceless collectible to all those fortunate enough to have secured their supply.  

Next up will be a very limited allocation of 2019 Estate "Wadenswil Clone" Pinot Noir.  Available by the case only, and limited to 57 cases, this wine will be sold exclusively by allocation, and club members can get futures pricing on this delicate gem at 50% off (from Julius only)

Apr 27, 2022 at 4:49 PM Permalink

2019 Pinot Noir Futures SOLD OUT... coming soon 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet Futures!!!!!!

Due to popular demand (and limited supply) the futures offering of our 2019 Green Valley Estate "Special Premium" Pinot Noir sold out in record time.  Those lucky few to secure their share of only 50 cases are part of an elite group that will be amply rewarded in the fall once they take delivery of this incredible wine.  It will exceed all expectations, and I will be looking forward to pulling the cork shortly after it arrives myself.  

Sooooo... now that harvest is taking off in earnest, the focus shifts to vintage 2021... but, sign up to our newsletter, because somewhere in the not too distant future we will be raiding the cellar, and lined up for our next micro lot of magnificent wine, we will be offering up futures on just 3 barrels of 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet.  We put our own unique spin on some rogue fruit from over the range, and turned out something very special indeed.  So sign up and watch your email.  Once the time arrives we will once again be offering the most exclusive and unique barrel tasting in the entire area.... come on.... where else will your host with the most bring the barrel to you to sample outdoors tableside!!!!  Just watching the effort of making this happen is worth the price of admission.  Plan to come out to the winery soon, and get in on the ground floor of this special opportunity...... COMING SOON! 

Aug 27, 2021 at 3:49 PM Permalink

Pinot Noir Exposed

Time to soak up some sun! 

By removing the leaves by hand around the fruiting zone (where the clusters are hanging), we can get good morning sun on the clusters.  We?ll leave the leaves on the afternoon side though to provide some protection from the direct, hot afternoon sun.  As Summer is upon us and harvest around the corner, leafing is like ditching the pants and sweatshirts for some shorts and  a t-shirt!  A good couple hours of morning fog is a trademark of the Green Valley of Russian River, so leafing helps our estate clusters bask in the sun as much as possible mid-day.  

Jul 8, 2021 at 10:10 AM Permalink

Ready "Set" Go!

Ready, ?SET?, Go! 

The signature of our June weather so far has been the wind.  Temperatures are normal, but the winds have been fierce.  Despite being blown around, our Ektimo Estate Pinot Noir has entered Set.  The berries have self pollinated, shed the flower petals and caps and now are about BB size.  Shown is the Pommard clone looking healthy and happy! 

Recently added to our tasting line up, the 2016 Russian River "Pommard Clone" Pinot Noir is a tantalizing and elegant Pinot Noir.  Guaranteed to light up those taste buds.

Jun 11, 2021 at 2:35 PM Permalink

Grow baby Grow!

It’s time for the vines to focus their energy and growth to shoots in the proper fruiting zone.  We desire uniformity and balance for our Estate Pinot Noir vines.  The benefits of balanced vines will manifest themselves in improved sunlight exposure, cluster separation, great ripeness and ideal flavor and texture from every cluster on the vine.  Suckering is the practice of removing new growth and shoots growing in the non-fruiting zone.  These shoots will never yield clusters representative of the vine or of the quality we demand.  Suckers often come from the ground, the trunk, or the rootstock and clonal plant material union.  They may look like happy shoots, but they are not the shoots we want to nurture.  Here is an Estate clone 37 Pinot Noir vine before (above left) and after (above right) being suckered.  May.... here we go! 

The results of a warm April with low rainfall are vines off to the races.  You can see them growing right before your eyes! 

The clusters look plentiful and have great architecture.  Looking forward to what May will bring, but so far this would be considered a perfect launch to the growing season.  Next stop - bloom!

A dry winter has us staring at extremely dry conditions this season, so the recycling of our wastewater from winery production will utilize scarce resources through the growing season.  Fortunately our vines are not too demanding, and their thirst is satisfied far more easily than ours. 

May 5, 2021 at 4:32 PM Permalink

It's a MAY Zin

Sooooo.... even under challenging circumstances, we have successfully been promoting sales of our "Futures" wine, the 2017 Russian River Zinfandel, and this extremely limited offering will be sold out by Mid May if not before. 

Sadly, the romance of Barrel Tasting has been curtailed as we are unable to get up close to the barrels yet, but sampling from the barrel by thieving into a bottle, and then offering it safely as part of our responsible tasting lineup, our visitors have been able to experience this youthful gem in its rough and ready glory.

A brilliant and scintillating up front fruit explosion of classic brambly berry components really grabs your attention, then the transitional tannins kick in and snap back with a beautiful dry effect and a bracing acidity that is very lively on first taste, but with each sip smooths out with a velvety luxury that will mellow with a little patience, or yield submissively to the right food pairing.  A Rich and hearty Cassoulet (or an alternate Vegetarian Cassoulet) will instantly transform the personality of this wine from the bold & the beautiful to the smooth & seductive.  Or..... a little patience will go a long way, and by Thanksgiving 2021 this Zinfandel will be ready to play with your thanksgiving feast.

This wine is proving to be very popular and is poised to be a huge success, and the option of somewhat customizing the hand labeled collectible is definitely a winner.  As mentioned, it will sell out by May.  There will be fewer than 50 cases of the Zinfandel released to the world, only available for purchase by the case (or multiple cases) and at a mere $180 per case it is an absolute steal.  Once this one sells out and the month of May rolls around, the plan is to go on to full on Barrel Tasting with our next release, so watch your email and watch this space.  Precious gems are rare, but they can be had. 

Until then...... Cheers!

Apr 15, 2021 at 10:10 AM Permalink

The Vines are off to the races

Despite a drop of only 15 feet in elevation over a distance of just under 500 feet from the top of the Ektimo Estate vineyard’s northwestern edge to the lower, southeastern corner, the difference in Terroir is clearly visible in the new growth.  Colder air and more available soil moisture mean the vines in the lower portion are later to respond and in no hurry.  The drier vines on the upper portion are off to the races and eager to respond to the recent warmth.  The difference between the two areas of the Estate represents a week or two in terms of potential ripeness. Same day & time Southeast Corner left vs Northwest corner right

Lots can happen between now and September, but the uniqueness of the soil, clonal selections and microclimates should only become more visible as the growing season progresses. 

Apr 14, 2021 at 12:55 PM Permalink

The Darling Buds of Ektimo

Ektimo Estate Pinot Noir emerges!  Despite some chilly nights, lovely weather during the day has caused our Pinot Noir vines to happily push new growth.  The 2021 clusters, although tiny, can already be seen and the good news is two clusters per shoot abound!  Feels like harvest will be upon us before we know it! 

Apr 8, 2021 at 2:23 PM Permalink