Wine
Part 2: Shining a Spotlight on Independent Wine Producers
August 24, 2023
In Part 1, we talked about the wonderful advantage independent wineries have of full decision-making power over their winemaking practices. That control, along with their intimate knowledge of the terroir and their dedication to creativity and innovation when it comes to winemaking, create a beautiful foundation to unique wines that mass-produced wines don’t have.
When you drink wines from independent producers, it quickly becomes clear that their passion and dedication to producing the highest quality wines possible aligns with their own specific vision. These winemakers focus their efforts on limited-production runs, allowing them to put all of their energy into the highest quality wines possible.
Sommsation was founded to bring these exceptional wines directly to you. Our team of experts —including sommeliers who hail from Michelin-starred and James Beard-award winning beverage teams—personally vet and select all of our wines made by critically acclaimed wineries not typically found in retail stores.
By selecting the creme de la creme of independent wineries from the many thousands, you get direct access to the most talented, under-the-radar wines and winemakers in the country.
Independent wineries are by definition more nimble. They can decide to hand-harvest grapes instead of using machines, invest in older, more labor-intensive methods of farming and winemaking—or experiment with new, relatively untested techniques.
Take Tamber Bey Vineyards for example. This small-scale, family-owned Napa Valley operation prioritizes quality and craftsmanship, above all else.
“We have a lot of small tanks, which allows for really flexible winemaking,” vintner Sally Johnson Blum explains. “We’re able to focus on open-top fermenters for Pinot and Syrah, and closed-top fermenters for our Cabernet and Bordeaux varieties. That flexibility allows us to explore a number of different wine styles.”
Tamber Bey can also, due its size and independence, make highly collectible and cellar-worthy from extraordinarily low-yield, old vine vineyard sites.
“You might expect four tons per acre from our estate Valley floor Chardonnay vineyard, but because it’s a Dijon clone and the vines are old, we do a really light crop,” Blum explains. “About one ton per acre. But that means the flavor is really intense and expressive, with an opulent texture.”
To put the scale of the wine industry in perspective, consider this: there are more than 11,000 wineries in the United States, 80% of which produce less than 5,000 cases per year (60,000 bottles), as reported in the 2023 DtC Wine Shipping Report. These targeted producers haven’t prioritized the marketing and distribution spends to get in front of most wine lovers. Let us bring those authentic, dedicated, experienced vintners who have devoted their lives and careers to the glory of the grape to you.
Normally, these wines would be very difficult to find, unless you visit the wineries—where many are often earmarked for wine club members—or you happen to dine at one of the elevated restaurants or retail shops specializing in hard-to-find wines where they’re featured. That isn’t feasible if you live on the East Coast and you’re looking for California wineries. While these wines are still incredibly exclusive—and we tend to sell out of them quickly—you can find many of them in our online shop.
While there can be external pressure on independent wineries to increase their production levels to allow for more distribution, each has made the intentional decision to limit production to continue bringing their vision to life.
You’re probably starting to get the sense that limited-production wines have a lot more behind them than you may have understood before. They each tell their own story in their own unique way. When you explore a winery’s story and the artisanship that goes into each bottle, you start to feel the dedication to their craft, see their individual personalities in each sip.
Read Part 3 of our ‘Shining a Spotlight on Smaller Wine Producers’ series and discover some of our other extraordinary independent winery partners.
Explore our 40+ independent wineries and taste for yourself why wineries driven by passion, with a deep commitment to quality, really do rise above the rest.
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We’re not just here to meet your shopping needs either. Our sommeliers, averaging 15+ years of experience, are here to guide you through a variety of curated wine experiences, and can also give you advice on collection and cellar management.
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