Oltean Family Wines

Oltean Family Wines Oltean Family Wines � Small-production w**es crafted with exceptional fruit & thoughtful w**emaking.

The Russian River Valley, the start of our w**e story. 🍇In this part of Sonoma County, fog from the Pacific Ocean drifts...
09/20/2026

The Russian River Valley, the start of our w**e story. 🍇

In this part of Sonoma County, fog from the Pacific Ocean drifts over the vines, bringing cool mornings and evenings. As the sun warms the land, the fog gives way to warm days. That rhythm of dramatic temperature changes, along with it’s wonderful soils, helps make the Russian River Valley such a special place for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The grapes for our first w**e are grown by Marla and Geoff Bedrosian of Domaine de la Rivière. They’ve become mentors to John and me as we learn our way through this venture. Our w**emaker, Kale Anderson, guides us step by step in crafting a w**e we’re proud to pour.

For years, I’ve loved creating healthy meals and working with John to pair food and w**e. Our first w**e, 2025 Passage Pinot Noir, brings those shared passions together. As we get closer to launching Oltean Family Wines, we look forward to sharing meal ideas, recipes, and pairings to enjoy with Passage.

Until then, bon appétit—and thank you for following our journey! 🍷

Creating Oltean Family Wines 🍷John and I are taking more steps forward in creating our business.We jumped feetfirst into...
08/28/2026

Creating Oltean Family Wines 🍷

John and I are taking more steps forward in creating our business.

We jumped feetfirst into w**emaking—and now we are catching up with the business side! We’ve established a timeline for building Oltean Family Wines, purchased our .com domains, and decided to work with an attorney on forming our LLC and navigating the registration and licensing process.

First, however, we want to say thank you. So many friends have asked how they can purchase a bottle or two, and one friend has already asked for an entire case! We are amazed and deeply grateful for the encouragement and support that continue to grow around this adventure.

Our first w**e, Passage, our 2025 Pinot Noir, is resting in a climate-controlled facility, where it will continue to develop and integrate in the bottle. It will be joined by our 2026 Sauvignon Blanc, which we expect to bottle next March. We’ll build our website around these first two w**es, adding our 2026 Pinot Noir to the portfolio when its time comes.

In the meantime, I’ve been creating recipes to enjoy alongside our w**es:

🍷 Slow-roasted short ribs braised with tomato, onion, garlic, coffee, and red w**e, served over silky mashed potatoes with grilled asparagus.

🍷 Lettuce-wrap tacos filled with spicy seasoned ground turkey, tomatoes, red onion, radishes, avocado, cheddar, and hot peppers from our garden, with cumin-roasted sweet potatoes.

🍷 My favorite: all-day, slow-roasted red curry barbecue ribs finished on the grill, with red cabbage, red onion, and apple coleslaw and creamy potato salad.

For me, w**e has always belonged at the table—surrounded by good food, beautiful scenery, and people we love.

The leaves on the vines are beginning to turn, the air is changing, and a new season is on its way. We look forward to sharing more of our journey, our w**es, and the recipes created to accompany them.

Oltean Family Wines—our story is just beginning. 🍇🍷

HARVEST. BOTTLE. HARVEST.And just like that, our next vintage is underway!Our 2026 Sauvignon Blanc grapes were harvested...
08/22/2026

HARVEST. BOTTLE. HARVEST.

And just like that, our next vintage is underway!

Our 2026 Sauvignon Blanc grapes were harvested on August 14 from the legendary Ritchie Vineyard—a very special site owned and farmed by Kent Ritchie. The vineyard earned international acclaim through extraordinary w**es made by celebrated w**emakers including Mark Aubert and Paul Hobbs.

Unlike red-w**e production, Sauvignon Blanc does not require destemming, fermentation on the skins, or “punching down.” Instead, the whole grape clusters—stems and all—go directly into a large bladder press, where the fresh juice is gently extracted.

We plan to ferment and age approximately two-thirds of the w**e in stainless steel, preserving its bright, fresh character, with the remaining third going into one-year-old French oak barrels to add texture and complexity.

We are also honored to share this beautiful Sauvignon Blanc fruit with renowned Napa Valley w**emaker Kirk Venge. We are certainly in very good company!

Once again, our w**emaker, Kale Anderson, is guiding us through every step of the process—and we couldn’t be more excited to begin another vintage with him.

And, by the way…our 2026 Pinot Noir grapes have already been harvested too!

Holy cow—time really does fly when you’re having fun. Here we go again! 🥂🍇

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Saint Helena, CA
94574

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