Joel Peterson is a Zinfandel Legend. His career has pushed the limits of the American wine industry, he’s been a steadfast champion of Zinfandel and Sonoma County, he created one of the most successful California brands ever, and his original punchdown tool hangs in the Smithsonian Museum- a testament to his place in American wine history.
Once and Future could be dubbed Joel Peterson’s “new” venture, but it would be much more accurate to describe it as a return to his roots. When Joel started Ravenswood in 1976, he planned to make single vineyard wines in a style similar to those made in Europe but with a Californian twist; small open topped redwood fermenters (pictured above), hand punch downs, extended macerations, native yeast, gentle transfer, minimal processing and small French oak aging.
Though his intention was a 6,000 – 7,000 case winery that remained committed to these philosophies, the runaway success of Ravenswood ‘Vintner’s Blend’ inevitably drove the project to a much larger scale.
This new venture is a return to the original vision Joel had for Ravenswood, it’s what he once dreamed of and what he’s chosen for the future. Touting decades of close relationships with the best old-vine, dry-farmed vineyards in California, Once and Future benefits in all the best ways from Joel’s illustrious career. In this new chapter, Joel will make all the wine himself, in small quantities, according to his original vision.
- Zinfandel Dickerson Vineyard Napa Valley
- Contra Costa County Mataro Oakley Road Vineyard
- Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch Sonoma Valley
- Calistoga Petite Sirah Palisades Vineyard
- Sangiacomo Vineyard Merlot Carneros
- Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Frank’s Block Teldeschi Vineyard
- Zinfandel Oakley Road Vineyard