A LETTER FROM OUR WINEMAKER

Hello friends,

Fall of 2023 marked a significant milestone for us at Fableist Wine Co. I completed the purchase of the Templeton Preserve property with some close friends, providing Fableist with a more permanent residence. The estate is now poised to elevate Fableist to new heights. We wasted no time in removing underperforming vines and revitalizing the property, setting the stage for decades of producing even higher-tier wines. Our efforts will continue this spring as we finalize the property's redevelopment, with plans to overhaul 50 acres of vineyards in total.

The timing aligns perfectly with our spring releases, which highlight wines crafted from the vines surrounding our quaint winery. We're excited to present six handpicked wines for you to enjoy this season.

2023 White Wine Blend

Last summer, we made the tough decision to remove the old Viognier vines located in front of the farmhouse. This vintage,  we believed Verdelho would contribute excellently to our estate white blend. By co-fermenting and blending some of our Verdelho with the Grenache Blanc from the hill, we aimed to create a supremely fresh and invigorating white wine with just the right amount of texture. David and Annie characterized it in the cellar as a vibrant combination of cantaloupe rind, orange blossom honey, and fresh lemon thyme. We produced only 75 cases of this unique blend.

2023 Skin Contact White Wine

Usually, we experiment with this winemaking style at our sister wineries, but this year, we decided to venture into skin contact, also known as orange or amber wine, right here on our estate. We let a couple of rows of block 14 fruit hang a few weeks longer to get a little notch more ripeness, and we proceeded to crush the fruit upon arrival at the cellular door and macerate the wine on its skins for 5 days before pressing to add additional texture and nuance. Look for some cool flavors of chamomile, dried apricot, and stewed spiced apples as this wine evolves in your glass on the table. Start with it chilled, but let it warm up and evolve as you enjoy it. Just 75 cases were made.  

2023 Red Wine Blend (Blaufränkisch/Counoise)

Crafted from additional blocks that we harvest multiple times during the season, we allowed a few rows of our block 4 test plot to ripen longer than usual for our estate Rosé, resulting in one of two vibrant red table wines from the property. We employ a carbonic method for this one. For those unfamiliar with this technique, we fill a small stainless tote with whole clusters, sealing it tightly. The grapes ferment internally without any oxygen, yielding an incredibly fresh and lively red wine. Expect explosive notes of cherry icee, candied ginger, and freshly cracked pepper. Serve chilled to cellar temperature. Only 75 cases were produced.

2023 Touriga Nacional 

We also strive for a lighter and fresher interpretation of the signature grape of Portugal, of which we are fortunate to have just 1.5 acres on the estate. We de-stem this fruit, opting to harvest it relatively early to maintain higher acidity levels than usual. We then macerate the fruit for only seven days before pressing, ensuring that we keep the heavy tannins in check. Despite its lighter profile, this wine still possesses enough substance to complement a sophisticated dinner, with cool notes of black tea dust, mixed berry yogurt and cracked white pepper. Don't hesitate to serve this one at cellar temp or with a slight chill. Only 75 cases were produced.

2022 Tempranillo

Next to the Touriga, we have another two acres of Tempranillo vines, planted about 15 years ago. We make this wine in a traditional style reminiscent of central Spain. The fruit is destemmed and undergoes an extended fermentation period before aging in 100% American oak barrels. Tempranillo isn’t about the fruit itself and more about the eventual structure, accompanied by intriguing secondary flavors of pomegranate juice, green peppercorn, vanilla bean and unsweetened cocoa powder. Feel free to cellar this wine without hesitation. With time, the tannins from both the fruit and the oak will continue to evolve and develop. Only 76 cases were produced.

2022 Merlot

For aficionados of old-school Bordeaux, we've handpicked a select few barrels that we believe epitomize an old-world style, showcasing rustic flavors of red currant, portobello mushroom, blueberry jam, and grilled venison. It's no wonder this property served as the cornerstone for the legendary Merlots produced by Wild Horse in the '90s. Don't sleep on Merlot, folks. This is a seriously impressive wine that can gracefully age in your cellar for a decade or more if you're so inclined. But if, like us, you're a bit impatient, feel free to uncork it now. It's already drinking beautifully, and with just 77 cases produced, you might want to grab a refill before it's gone.

In addition to these wines, we have a truly special release to share with everyone. In 2023, we gathered the remaining olives from our property and crafted our inaugural estate Olio Nuovo. We handpicked both Mission and Arbequina varieties immediately after the grape harvest season. The olives were quickly milled, and the oil was bottled within 7 days of harvesting. Olio Nuovo is bottled with its natural cloudiness, reflecting its freshness, and boasts a wonderfully spicy flavor profile. It's ideal for cooking and capable of withstanding higher temperatures. This is as extra virgin as it can get. Use it in your home-cooked dishes or enjoy it as a dipping oil with a delicious baguette. Only 32 cases were produced.

—Andrew Jones