Harvest 2021

Every harvest is unique, but the harvest of grapes used in the production of méthode champenoise, or French-style Champagne is unparalleled. It begins early in the season—this year, July—and the grapes must be picked at their perfection. For méthode champenoise, the grapes must be low in sugar and high in acid, hence the ‘early’ in the harvest season.

What doesn’t change, are the early morning forays out into the vineyard. Well before sunrise, the winemaker is out in the Chardonnay, picking berries from various vines and sampling from multiple rows in an effort to get an accurate measure of both sugar and acidity. Each winemaker develops their own tried ‘n true method of vine sampling, but over the years, a seasoned winemaker “knows” when the berries are ready, and then the work begins.

Harvest is special and a year’s worth of work hinges on the outcome. It’s more than simply the yield, or tonnage, which is how a viticulturist often measures their success, well, that and price. But a successful harvest is a combination of factors: berry size, bunch size, acidity, aroma and, taste. Winemakers will tell you that they can fix minor flaws, but if it’s a good year, the grapes are liquid perfection and the taste, extraordinary. So, it all begins out in the vineyard, on those early morning berry hunts!

There is a chill in the morning air, and a comforting silence that greets you as you pull on boots, grab a plastic bag, and head out into the rows. Early morning smells fresh, and the coolness in the air soon retreats as the sun begins to rise, changing the colors of the sky from black to navy, then purple, pink to orange, and finally gold, then yellow. Sounds carry for miles, and you often hear a lone coyote, yipping; a calf calling out to its’ mother, and a tractor, roaring to life to begin its day out in the field.

Once the samples are taken, they are whisked off to the lab for testing. Our winemaker decides that although the tests indicate the grapes are ready, he will wait a day or two, because he tastes “green,” which he explains is herbaceous in character, and so the sampling will begin anew before sunrise tomorrow.

Harvest is a stressful time, and we hold our breathe until all the varieties are picked and crushed. There’s always something that can go wrong: insects, freak rainstorm [Yes, I said freak, but it happened one year.], summer heat, which can stress the vines, or a light crop, combined with a poor price. [This can mean the difference between breaking even or losing money.] Until the grapes are harvested, we watch the weather, walk the rows, and sample the grapes.

Folks often think that farmers control the land, they don’t, and it is the wise farmer who understands that they must work with nature, not attempt to control her. Farmers know that it is incumbent upon them to be ‘good’ stewards of the land. They must be able to balance the farm’s productivity with the social and ecological impact to the land. This takes practical experience, determination, persistence, and courage.

We picked this year’s Chardonnay crop on July 28, which means that in three to four years, our Serendipity label will grace the outside of a bottle, holding the fruits of this year’s labor. The vineyard came alive that night, as lights illuminated the vines, and workers tread up ‘n down the rows. It was an exciting moment for us, as this is the first year that all our Chardonnay grapes will be used for our own label. We crossed our fingers and took the plunge. Based upon what our winemaker tasted out in the field, the 2021 vintage will be exceptional, and now, we wait.

Winemaker Robert Indelicato samples the 2021 Chardonnay cuvée, which will ultimately be released in 2025 as the Serendipity Blanc de Blanc.

Jul 31, 2021 at 5:59 PM Permalink

Why the "Miss Tiery" Challenge

There's a line from a song that I used to sing that aptly describes how we're feeling at the winery. "Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone."

We miss the hustle 'n bustle, the noise, sometimes a bit of chaos, but overall, we miss our friends, customers and the people. We miss chatting with our "regulars," checking in with our wine club members, swapping stories with our customers and just being a part of something, well, something wonderful. And here's the sad part, we didn't realize how much we would, miss it. How much we would miss all of you.

So we decided to put together a program that would allow our wine club members, our friends and customers to taste wine, unfortunately, not inside the cellar door at our bar. But taste some beautiful wines at a reasonable price, sharing our insights and, most importantly, giving you the opportunity to tell us which one(s) you love. Hence the Miss Tiery [pronounced "mystery"] Wine Box Challenge was born.

We've taken six wines (all red varietals), three per wine box challenge, added flavor profile cards, tasting cards, clues and, of course, a sealed envelope with the answers. You order the wine box [with three wines], which you can either pick up here at the winery, curbside, Thursday through Monday, 12 noon-5 p.m., or we can ship them to you, flat rate throughout California. Then hold your own virtual tasting with friends and/or family. Better yet, purchase one or two boxes for those friends. We had a family member buy seven boxes and she's holding her own virtual tasting with her own wine club.

Of course, you can also taste along with our winemakers, Robert Indelicato 'n Kyle Bloudoff-Indelicato, on Friday, May 8, beginning at 5 p.m. online. Visit either site: Facebook: @nostravitawinery, or Instagram: @nostravita_winery.

The wines are all beautiful: brilliant in color, heavenly aroma, and nicely balanced. We did a tasting here at Nostra Vita and everyone had their own favorite. So, I'm challenging each of you to do your own tasting and then tell us which one you favor!

Pour, swirl, note the color. Then smell, really take a deep whiff of that delicious bouquet. Do it again. Finally, sip, and focus on the wine's essence. What do you taste? Smell? It really gives you a new appreciation for what you're drinking. And if you're new to the wine tasting game, it helps you focus your senses and gives you the opportunity to determine what aromas and tastes you enjoy. It's not only fun, but educational.

If you decide to join in on the fun, here's a couple of insights from our winemaker on the wine in the first 3-bottle pack. See if you pick up on any of these fragrances and/or tastes. *Yes, I am indeed providing you with some clues.

•Blackberry notes, smoky, spicy, sweet bottle bouquet, bold. Food pairings: Pizza Rustica, BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, pulled pork, pork chops, grilled vegetables.

•Black cherry, plum, vanilla notes, soft with a long, chocolatey finish. Food pairings: Pizza, BBQ chicken, beef short ribs, roasted turkey. 

•Blueberry, dark chocolate, good acidity, big tannins. Food pairings: Spicey chili, grilled eggplant, peppers or wild mushrooms, cheese based pasta.

And here's the most important part--have some fun. Relax. Enjoy the wine, and even if you can't be with friends or family right now, you can share this experience with them, even if it's in the virtual realm. We're all looking for a diversion, some sense of normalcy, so although we can't be together tasting wine, we can give you this opportunity to swirl, sniff, sip 'n savor some beautiful wines. All you have to do is take the challenge!

Apr 28, 2020 at 8:00 AM Permalink

Share a memory this holiday season

    As the holidays approach, most of us agonize over what to get our boss, neighbor, co-worker, and we struggle to find that perfect gift. And while we’re all taught that it’s the thought that counts, turns out, psychology suggests that it is indeed the gift that counts, or rather, the experience. Experiences increase the feelings of relatedness, which makes people happier than simply giving them an object. So, what better way to create a shared experience than with an exceptional bottle of wine, or three. 

    You see, wine isn’t just a beverage; it is a sensory experience meant to be shared. Most of us remember a specific wine because of the memory that it evokes within us: celebratory family dinner, friends gathered during the holidays, or a quiet moment in front of a roaring fire. This holiday season, here’s an easy guide to help you take the guess work out of gift giving, and, give a relationship experience. Now you can relax, and simply remove the cork, pour, swirl, sip, savor and enjoy!

The Red Wine Lover 
• 2015 Petite Sirah. Deep purple with flavors of dark berries, spice and black pepper. Fresh, luscious and vibrant, this wine is big, bold, and tannic. $27
• 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright garnet color with aromas of black cherry, vanilla and blackberry. Full bodied, but with moderate tannins, it has a fruit-forward quality and leaves a lingering plush finish on the palate. $30
1. Engage your senses by serving in a Riedel wine glass, designed to complement this wine varietal. Sold by Amazon: Click Here
2. Wine bottle stoppers provide an air-tight seal to prolong and preserve opened bottles of wine. Sold by Amazon: Click Here
3. Decanting the wine from the bottle to the decanter oxygenates the wine and releases its rich aroma and flavor. This hand-blown lead-free crystal decanter is a wonderful addition for any red wine. Sold by Amazon: Click Here

 The White Wine Lover
• 2017 Chardonnay. Fermented in French oak, it imparts a light, but flavorful spice, filling out he palate. Medium acid, full bodied, this wine isn’t your traditionally over oaked Chardonnay. $25
1. Keep your white wine chilled, while enjoying it in a marble wine cooler. Sold by Amazon: Click Here
2. The Vacu Vin Wine Saver removes the air from your wine bottle to keep wine tasting fresh for up to one week. Insert the universal wine stopper into the bottle and pump until you hear the patented “Click.” The “Click” signals an airtight seal. Sold by Amazon: Click Here
3. A combination wine bottle chiller, filter and pourer, this Wine Chiller Stick allows you to enjoy a glass of perfectly chilled wine at the optimal temperature. The chiller rod ensures that you won’t have to deal with wet wine bottles or the drips that come from using an ice bucket. Sold by Amazon: Click Here

The Sweet Wine Lover
• 2018 Orange Muscat. Beautiful, fruit forward, note the scent of lemon zest, peach and tangerine. The taste is soft, subtle and easy to enjoy. $17
1. Sip your Orange Muscat in a spill-resistant stemless tumbler, maintaining your wines’ perfect temperature from first sip to last. Sold by Amazon: Click Here
2. Open any wine bottle in just 3 seconds with the Brookstone Compact Wine Opener. The extra long handle provides greater leverage and works on all corks. Sold by Amazon: Click Here
3. It’s all in the bowl. The bowl helps to release the aromas of the wine and emphasize the fruit. Perfect for everyday use, and dishwasher safe, this collection from Riedel is for the no nonsense wine drinker who appreciates good wines at reasonable prices. Sold by Amazon: Click Here
 
The Dessert Wine Lover
• Bacio Dolce. Delicious Carignane dessert wine with notes of salted caramel, rich vanilla and luscious ripe strawberries. $45
1. Sip ‘n savor in an elegant, Port wine glass sipper. This is the perfect gift for the Port Aficionado. Sold by Amazon: Click Here
2. Display your favorite dessert wine in this beautiful glass decanter. Made of lead-free glass, this elegant decanter is thick, well balanced and topped with a solid glass stopper for an airtight fit. Sold by Amazon: Click Here

The Sparkling Wine Lover
• Serendipity Méthode Champenoise Demi-Sec. This is a magical addition to our Serendipity Sparkling Wine lineup. Sweeter, this finely balanced sparkling has effervescent bubbles with a smooth, creamy finish. Enjoy the crisp citrus notes with a lovely peach undertone. $28  *To be released 11/15/19
1. Now you can open that special bottle of sparkling wine for any occasion, or no occasion, seal and savor the next day, or even a few days later. The MiTBA champagne bottle stopper with built-in pressure pump keeps the bubbles and the fizz. Sold by Amazon: Click Here
2. These fine crystal champagne glasses have an etched bottom, which aids in generating bubbles. These flutes are specifically designed for sparkling wines. Sold by Amazon: Click Here
3. This 4-quart ice bucket has room to accommodate any 750ml champagne bottle to keep your bubbly chilled. Made from heavy gauge stainless steel, and finished with a two-tone satin exterior, it’s the perfect choice for serving your sparkling wine. Sold by Amazon: Click Here

The “Can’t Go Wrong Gift”
• A Nostra Vita Gift Card. You pick the amount and your lucky recipient picks the wine(s). This is the perfect gift for that special someone who knows what they like, and you get all the credit for giving them that gift! Win-win. 
The “Gift that Keeps on Giving”
• Nostra Vita Wine Club Membership. Everyone is unique, and you can customize your experience with one of our three club levels. And at each level, you choose whether you’d like: all red, all white, all sparkling, or mixed. There’s no fee to join, so visit our website to learn about the levels and perks: www.NostraVitaWinery.com, or you can stop by and visit with us, taste the wines, and we’ll tell you all about our wines and the wine club. 
 

Nov 7, 2019 at 4:17 PM Permalink

Can you smell it, it's harvest...

This morning's sunrise was distinct. As I peered out the kitchen window watching my partner make his way through the long row of vines, a fog bank settled over the tops of the grapes, creating a surreal scene. I could see his white cap bobbing up 'n down among the rows, taking samples of the bunches, fog giving him an eerie, mystical quality as he disappeared from sight. Grabbing my camera to capture the view, I dashed outside and noticed the change in the air--the smell and feel, it's harvest time.

There's a smell when a field is ready to be harvested. The air is crisp in the early morning, often laden with moisture, the berries glisten as the sun rises over the field, and the earth smells sweet 'n ripe, heavy. The grapes are beautiful this year--big, full, pleasantly shaped, no sunburn, no blotches, none are misshapen--each one nearly perfect.

As the sun peaks over the hills, warming the air, the fog lifts and the white hat returns with a bag of randomly selected berries. His clothes are sticky from the samples grapes that he's picked and with a smile he says, "They're ready." And now, the real work begins.

In Lodi, Chardonnay grapes are the queen of whites. The variety is California's most widely planted wine grape, with an estimated 93,000 acres reported in 2017. For our Serendipity Blanc de Blanc, Chardonnay is the key to this exceptional sparkling wine. During the last several weeks, we've made the rounds through the vineyard, randomly sampling the grapes and checking for the ideal level of acidity and sugar ripeness. Sparkling wine grapes must be picked earlier as they need a higher level of acidity and less sugar, so this morning at the perfect 18 Brix, we're ready to go.

Tonight at midnight, we'll begin the picking process--removing those beautiful bunches of grapes and transporting them to the winery where the grapes will be pressed, not crushed, to limit the contact between skin and juice. A pneumatic press, which has a large, plastic balloon will gradually inflate and gently break the grape skins. Juice will slowly drain into a pan beneath the press. The press turns, inflates again and again, ultimately leaving a pile of skins and seeds. This Chardonnay juice will retain the pure, Chardonnay characteristics, allowing our winemakers to create an exceptional wine--a wine befitting the name, Serendipity. Yes, tonight's going to be exciting!

Aug 11, 2019 at 5:53 PM Permalink

Veraison heralds visions of harvest

When you live in the middle of a vineyard, you mark each season with milestones that are directly connected with your livelihood--grapes. We're excited because veraison [pronounced "verr-ray-zohn"] has hit the majority of the varietals planted in 'n around our home. Simply put, veraison is the onset of ripening of those delicious berries, and signals that we're headed towards harvest. It represents the transition from berry growth on the vine to berry ripening.

For viticulturalists, it means that the vine has shifted its focus from energy creation [through photosynthesis] to energy consumption, directing the vine into making those baby grapes sweet. Before veraison occurs, the wine grapes are small, hard, highly acidic, and green-colored due to the level of chlorophyll. As the chlorophyll is replaced by anthocyanins [changing the berry color from vibrant green to luscious red in red varietals], polyphenols develop to protect the berries from sun, wine and other stresses that generally occur in the vineyard prior to harvest.

During this period in the growth cycle, grapes begin to dramatically increase in size and the sugar level [glucose and fructose, which is measured in Brix] rises. Conversely, the acid level begins to fall, and continues to do so as the sugar level rises until the grapes are deemed to be perfectly balanced and ready for harvest. And while red grapes begin to change color, white grapes transform into a lovely golden shade of yellow, or even become somewhat translucent.

Once veraison occurs, grapes are usually harvested within 40-70 days, depending upon the style of the wine to be produced and the grape varietal. It's as if a switch is flipped in each grapevine, and the countdown to harvest begins. It's an exciting time for both growers and wineries.

Vineyard owners will focus their growing effort on either removing bunches in order to modify vine balance and ensure that the remaining bunches receive the needed nutrients and sugars from the roots. Or, the farmer may thin and/or remove leaves from the vine in order to improve the amount of sunlight and airflow that the bunches receive.

As you drive around the vineyards in and around Lodi, take notice of the change in the color of the vines as our beautiful grapes begin to darken [or glow]. Our hot sunny days mean that the grapes are enjoying the heat and developing those delicious, juicy berries--just ripe for the picking!

Jul 29, 2019 at 1:30 PM Permalink

Riddle me this...

Once the "sparkling" wine has undergone secondary fermentation and the winemaker determines that it is appropriately balanced, it's time to begin the preparatory process of lees removal. Lees are the deposits of residual yeast, or sediment left inside the length of the bottle. In order to displace the sediment and move it into the neck of the bottle, the bottles must undergo a process known as riddling. During this stage, the bottles are placed inside metal cages, These cages are then attached to the arms of a riddling rack.

The process of riddling proceeds by carefully orchestrated rotations of the bottle, right and left, a quarter of a turn, an eighth of a turn or a sixteenth of a turn. The angle of the bottle is altered to point the bottle neck down, allowing the sediment to settle into the bidule [small hollow cap] inserted into the top of each bottle. The riddling process takes approximately 10 to 14 days, and is critical for obtaining a perfectly clear wine.

Once the process is complete and the sparkling wine clear, the lees is removed through disgorging. Bottles are placed onto the disgorging line, neck down, and as the neck of the bottle moves upward, the crown cap is removed. Under pressure, the accumulated sediment is forced out of the top of the bottle. If the bottle is turned upwards too soon, the sediment will mix back into the wine and make the wine cloudy, necessitating that the bottle be placed back into one of the cages and riddled again. If the bottle is not angled correctly, a significant amount of wine will be lost.

Immediately after disgorging, but before the cord is inserted, the liquid level is topped with a mixure of sugar and wine, known as dosage. The winemaker determines this mixture, and each dosage is tailored to the specific vintage. Once the dosage is added, the cork is inserted, followed by the wire cage and, a foil hood. Your méthode champenoise sparkling wine is ready for you to chill, pour, share and enjoy. Stop by the cellar door and sample our Serendipity sparkling wine--crisp, clear and beautiful.

Check out the disgorging link:  https://www.facebook.com/NostraVitaWinery/videos/321768625399944/

Jul 6, 2019 at 1:19 PM Permalink

What makes méthode champenoise sparkling wine special?

Méthode champenoise sparkling wine is created utilizing the French style Champagne process. While only sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France can be called Champagne, the technique utilized to add those beautiful bubbles to otherwise "still" wine is referred to as méthode [me-toad] champenoise [chomp-en-wawz].

We start out with Chardonnay grapes harvested from our vineyard in the rolling Clements hills. The grapes are harvested early, usually by the end of July, beginning of August, when the sugar level in the grapes [referred to as Brix] is low, generally at 18 brix [in comparison with the level of 24 brix for a traditional Chardonnay still wine]. We vintage date our blanc de blanc [white of whites, meaning Champagne made from white grapes], using only Chardonnay grapes from that specific year.

After the primary fermentation [when the grapes are crushed, drained and cold fermented], its time for our "still" wine to go into its permanent home--the bottle. When the wine is finished and deemed ready, a mixture of sugar and yeast is made [called tirage] and added to the "still" wine. The tirage is transferred to the bottling line, pumped into a bottle, and a small hollow cap [called a bidule] is inserted into the top of each bottle. As the bottle travels down the line, a crown cap [bottle cap] is placed on top to seal the bottle and allow the secondary fermentation process to begin. Each bottle is removed from the line and placed, by hand, horizontally into a cage, with roughly 500 bottles per cage. These cages are then wheeled into a darkened, temperature-controlled room.

And this is where the magic begins. The yeast in the bottle slowly converts the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Since the bottle is capped, the carbon dioxide has nowhere to go and stays inside the bottle in the form of those teeny, tiny bubbles. This doesn't happen overnight; in fact, it takes months, at least 18-24 months. Our 2014 Serendipity Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine spent four years in the bottle, and the result is nothing short of a taste of heaven for your mouth.

Serendipity has received multiple awards. Its fresh acidity is balanced with a smooth body, crisp fruit finish, and silky yeast character. Pour it in one of your favorite sparkling wine glasses and then, stop, take a whiff and watch those glorious bubbles. Those bubbles signify the exceptional quality of this product, and honestly, it never fails to deliver in both flavor and aroma.

Click on the link below and watch as we put our 2018 Serendipity into the bottle so that it, too, can begin its' slumber and ultimate transformation into a future award winning Champagne style sparkling wine. *Shhh... the babies are sleeping. But they're definitely worth the wait!

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.24130-6/10000000_2018465125123498_7717485438523313907_n.mp4?_nc_cat=105&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Im9lcF9oZCJ9&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=e2442dae4a6a06febb7b43d951606fb8&oe=5D6875FF

May 24, 2019 at 3:07 PM Permalink

What does the sun maze signify?

What does the sun maze logo signify?

We're farmers, grape farmers, or viticulturists. A fancy name for folks who grow grapes. We grew up in and around vineyards, as did our children. In fact, not unlike our own parents, we planted our vineyard, built our home in the center of it, and raised our family in the middle of dust, dirt, lovely green vines, and beautiful bunches of green and ripe purple grapes. And if you ask a farmer what's important, they'll each have their own unique list, but overall, it's sunshine and water. We follow the sun.

Right now, it's gorgeous outside. C'mon admit it, you love it too! Everything is new. Everything is fresh. The hills around the vineyard are bright green and the grass undulates when the wind blows. It's that fresh, new green. The green that's as close to emerald as it gets around here. Flowers are blooming everywhere: the fields, gardens, along the roadsides and even in the ditches. Bees are working overtime, and the world has come alive with brilliant shades of green, yellow, red, pink, white, purple, even blue. It's truly a magical time in the San Joaquin Valley.

So, when it came time to select our logo and pick something that was meaningful for our family and linked to both grapes and wine, the sun rose to the top of our list. As for the maze, well, each member of our family has meandered, turned, stalled, backed up and hit a dead-end on more than one occasion. While we each have had specific goals, plans and dreams, it hasn't always been a straight shot to the finish line.

For my husband and I, we had specific career goals, followed the rules, played the game well, at least we thought that we did. But when goals and career paths didn't materialize or we faltered, we fell, flat. I'd like to say that we bounced back immediately, but we didn't. We shook our fists, lamented our distress, licked our wounds and then, we discovered a new path, a new road, a new direction. And so, it is with our maze--a symbol of strength and resiliency. A new journey.

Most of us falter or fall at some point in out lives, so if you take a moment and ponder the twists, turns and dead-ends of your life path, I think that you can agree, a maze makes sense. We're all striving to get from Point A to Point B, but sometimes, it just takes a bit longer, and in the end, it really is all about the journey. From my vantage point, it's been quite a lovely, meandering walk through life.

We'd love to hear your story about your own journey. Stop by and visit us at our cellar door on Turner Road. We'll pour the wine, and you tell us about your life's maze--in the sun.

Apr 16, 2019 at 7:42 PM Permalink

Join us in celebrating... Serendipity

Designing a label is a lot like giving birth. There’s a great deal of energy, effort and even a few tears that go into the process. You’ve got one chance to make an impression on the consumer and there are thousands of labels out there, all waiting to be selected. Each one tells its own story, each one is the culmination of a great deal of time and thought, and each one is vying for your attention, so the pressure is on to make yours standout, make it unique.

Easy, right? Not so much, in fact, it’s really difficult, and the process can be tedious. Think you’ve hit on the right shape? Color? Logo? Font? Placement? Think again. Run your design by half a dozen people and you’ll quickly discover that your “fantastic” design, well, it isn’t. In fact, nothing about the label is a hit, so it’s back to the drawing board, literally. And it can take months, not days or weeks.

I’m sure that there are creative folks out there that hit it on the first try, but for most of us, it’s a slow process. So, by the time you’re done, and your ‘baby’ is ready to head off to the printer, you’re mentally exhausted and personally, not even sure that you like it anymore. But then, that lovely label comes back on a thick spool and all of a sudden… WOW!

Put that label on a bottle and, well, it’s true love. I love our label. I love our label on our bottle. I love placing the bottle on a shelf in the light and admiring the colors and how the light shines through the bottle, illuminating the design. I love our new ‘baby!’

So, please join me in celebrating our newest addition… Serendipity Sparkling Wine, created in the Méthode Champenoise style. It wasn’t an easy process. It didn’t go quickly, but the result, I think you’ll agree, was worth the wait!

Feb 25, 2019 at 9:00 AM Permalink

What's in a name?

Nostra Vita Family Winery is the culmination of a lifelong dream of my husband, Robert. He’s been making wine all of his life, literally. He grew up in a winery, playing underneath his mother’s desk, following his uncles around as they checked the tanks, and his sitting on his father’s lap on the tractor as they built ditches in the field for irrigation. And we both grew up in and around vineyards, as our fathers grew grapes and took great pride in cultivating their individual pieces of fertile sandy soil.

There is a sense of responsibility and freedom that comes with farming the soil. You grow up understanding that you owe your livelihood to that land, and with that brings an obligation to nurture and care for it. You mark your life by the seasons, because changes in the weather mark the passage of time, and with each season there are tasks that must be performed in order to keep that vineyard healthy and productive. But there is that freedom to meander and wander about on that land, getting lost in the wonder of watching a litter of baby bunnies playing in the field, a flock of wild turkeys dining on insects, or even a pack of juvenile coyotes wrestling on our back lawn. It’s the freedom to just sit, watch and marvel at what nature creates.

Enter the next generation, our children. We wanted for our children what we’d both had—an opportunity to live on a piece of land in the country, so when they were very young, we stretched and scraped together the funds to purchase our own piece of land in the rolling Clements hills. Then we planted our vineyard and raised our children in the center of those vines. Yes, we actually built our home in the center of our vineyard, and the photo that you see on our Home page is a view from my kitchen window. Nice, huh.

So, what’s with the name? Because we’ve all grown up in and around vineyards and wine has been a natural outcome of producing all those beautiful grapes, when it came time to select a name for our family’s company, Nostra Vita was appropriate. Robert is of Italian descent, making our children part Italian, and since our lives have always been seasoned with Italian sayings, words and terms, it wasn’t a stretch for our son to select an Italian name. Nostra Vita means “our life” in Italian, and grapes, wine production, farming, eating, drinking wine, and family are all intertwined.How do you pronounce it? It’s actually easier than you think. First word, Nostra: Nō Straw. Second word, Vita: Vēē Tăh. Nostra Vita: Nō Straw Vēē Tăh.

Because we understand that each year is unique, producing characteristics in the grapes at harvest that will shape the essence of a handcrafted wine, we celebrate that exclusivity. Wine isn’t simply a beverage, it truly is a sensory experience meant to be shared with family and friends. We invite you to join us as we discover each vintage and make “our life” a part of yours!

Feb 17, 2019 at 9:14 AM Permalink