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Aperture Cellars
Sonoma
- Highest New Entry Award 2025
Ethos: Shedding American light on Bordeaux grape varieties
Winemaker
Jesse Katz
Wine Style
A range of stunning red and white Bordeaux-style wines.
Historic roots: Aperture wines are crafted from unique, cool-climate vineyards in Sonoma and Alexander Valleys. Founded in 2009 by winemaker Jesse Katz, whose ambition was to craft wines on par with the quality and refinement that is integral to the best from Bordeaux. Jesse set down his roots in Sonoma believing it offered the best of both worlds: new world fruit and old world elegance.
Picture the adventurer: Jesse's early adventures to legendary vineyards were under the watchful eye of his photographer father, Andy Katz. Jesse cultivated an enviable international wine education; sipping vinous gems with luminaries and exploring historic wineries whilst his father snapped images. Jesse's diverse experiences fed his aspiration to learn from the very best in the industry, including working vintages at Pétrus and Screaming Eagle.
The spaces: The eye-catching, modern buildings were designed by Signum Architecture, with inspiration drawn from the physical aperture of a camera. The buildings showcase dramatic angles and clean lines and focus on natural light. Both custom-designed hospitality spaces and a modern winery were the focus of this project. The opulent guest lounges not only host tasting experiences and food pairings but also an exquisite gallery with rotating exhibitions from professional photographers. Floor-to-ceiling windows shine out onto the western facing terrace with views of the vineyards, including the historic 1912 vineyard.
Taste the terroir: Aperture Cellars offer three levels of tasting experiences:
Soil Series: An introduction to the breadth of the Aperture portfolio - this collection consists of Bordeaux-inspired blends from vineyards in Alexander Valley and greater Sonoma County with soil profiles perfectly suited to each variety.
Site Series: An opportunity to dive deeper into the vineyards of Aperture Cellars whilst exploring the notion of terroir. Here the experience focuses on the unique cool-climate single vineyards of Alexander Valley.
Private Lounge: An immersive, in-depth showcase of the most sought-after Aperture wines. This experience, which takes place in the stunning private gallery rooms, is a guided, educational journey through six limited-release wines served alongside robust charcuterie boards.
And lastly... Katz's father had an amazing ability to tell stories through photography. Perhaps Katz's greatest success is bringing together the intricacies of space, place and time to make exceptional bottles of wine.
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