From Passion to Bottle: Unveiling the Micro-Production Dream Projects of Post & Vine Winery and BXT
By Dan Dawson
I say this multiple times a day: “This wine is owned and made by a lady (or gentleman) whose day job is with a larger winery.” With that the story of a winemaker’s passion project is launched to another interested customer of mine. It may be my favorite wine story to tell as it includes micro-production, artisan winemaking and pursuing a dream.
Today I’ll tell you about two Napa Valley winemakers whose stories include taking such a path to start their tiny wineries. Rebekah Wineburg owns and makes Post & Vine: a Mendocino Old Vine Field blend plus two Carignane wines and Rosé. Since 2015 she has been the winemaker for Quintessa Winery in Rutherford on the Silverado Trail. Tom Sherwood owns and makes BXT, a sparkling wine from Sonoma County. His day job: winemaker for Rocca Family Vineyards, which he joined in 2021.
I asked Wineburg and Sherwood a few questions about juggling important jobs with the commitment of small-business ownership. Here are the most interesting points from our conversations. I finish with reviews of their respective wines.
Why?
With good jobs and a comfortable lifestyle in place, why take on the financial risk and extra time commitment of a small winery? While the overriding answer from both Wineburg and Sherwood was the expected “It’s my unfiltered artistic expression,” there is more.
“I want to experience the complete cycle of wine – every last detail,” says Wineburg.
Understanding every facet, even at a miniscule case production compared to Quintessa, helps her understand wine and the wine business beyond the bottle.
“It makes me a better winemaker at Quintessa to understand how every decision I make in my job may have ripple effects throughout the winery,” she said.
Accessibility is important to Wineburg.
“I think of wine as something to be enjoyed at the dinner table every night,” she said. “I want to make a wine that many can afford and enjoy on a regular basis.”
Post & Vine wines are $19-$32/bottle. Quintessa 2019 is $235.
Sherwood comments, “With BXT I want to show the grower/winemaker model that has become so popular in Champagne.”
While Sherwood doesn’t own Manley Vineyard, the source of his current release, he manages it and does the farming himself.
How does having your own label affect your day job?
Wineburg and Sherwood do not make wines from the same grape or blends as their employers. Not only does this avoid the awkwardness of competition, but it generally means the vineyards are on different time schedules and harvest dates. That, and keeping clear physical separations between the wines, makes their employers accept — if not support — their passion projects. Sherwood notes, “If Rocca Family and BXT are both doing well, it helps both of us by growing a culture of success.” (It’s worth noting that both winemakers had their passion projects in operation before they started their respective jobs.)
Do your wineries support themselves?
BXT and Post & Vine currently make about the same amount of wine each year: 300 to 350 cases. Post & Vine, after 10 years of operation, supports itself. Wineburg has always been very careful with spending, which is not easy when you may be waiting five years to sell a wine. (The 2018 Testa Vineyard is available for purchase now.) She sacrifices growth for caution and that’s just fine by her. There are no plans to significantly increase production.
“Keep it small and keep it fun,” she says.
Sherwood is able to use his farming and winemaking skills to do most of his own hands-on work. (He even riddles his own bottles.) His sweat equity keeps his costs low, helping the winery sustain itself as it grows. I get a sense Sherwood has aspirations for growth and profitability down the road, but he’s in no rush and understands it’s a long-term proposition. For now, he says, “It’s reward enough right now for someone to tell me they really enjoyed a bottle of my sparkling wine. Making a profit is not the exclusive definition of success for BXT.”
Wine Notes
BXT Sparkling Wine, Manley Vineyard Sonoma Carneros, Blanc de Blanc, Zero Dosage ($52)
Sparkling made, 100% Chardonnay, not a lick of sweetness added. Super tangy and nervy, it stands out for its exceedingly bright acidity. Underneath you’ll taste apples, quince and citrus blossoms. A dozen freshly shucked oysters and a bottle sounds perfect right now. Find BXT at www.bxtwines.com and local wine shops, including Outer Space Wines.
Post & Vine Rosé of Carignane, Contra Costa County 2021 ($19) Made from 100-plus-year-old Carignane vines. Plums, strawberries, black pepper and violets. A joy to drink.
Post & Vine Old Vine Field Blend – Testa Vineyard Mendocino 2018 ($32) This blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignane is truly made in the vineyard before they are all harvested and fermented as one. Myriad peppery/Moroccan spices, deep berry fruit flavors and fine tannins.
Post & Vine Carignane Mule Plain Vineyard Mokelumne River - Lodi 2020 ($30) These Lodi vines pushing 100 years of age make a fruity, spicy, smooth red with character and lip-smacking goodness. 82 cases made. Purchase at www.postandvine.com and local wine shops, including Outer Space Wines.
Dan Dawson has been a Napa Valley wine merchant, sommelier and business owner in Napa Valley since 1992. He is the owner of Outer Space Wines, a wine shop and wine bar in Downtown Napa. You will find him there tasting and talking wine most days. Come in anytime to shop, taste and learn.
This week at Outer Space Wines:
GSM Bring-A-Bottle, Thursday (tonight) at 5 PM.
Bottle Rock “Evening Chill” with music by local artist Aaron Pollard. Friday and Saturday starting at 7:30 PM. Great wine, music and vibes.
Outer Space Wines: 974 Franklin Street, Downtown Napa. (707) 657-7401