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Happy Spring from Iron Horse

by Joy Sterling | Published March 21, 2023

March came in like a lion – in many ways – some good, some challenging. It might be going out like a lion, too. We have budbreak! Very similar timing to last year when we saw the first signs of it on March 15. Already 2023 can be characterized as a vintage of extreme rain. The vines have been dormant during the brunt of it, and our vineyards are all on hillsides, so the water sheds into a natural floodplain that also happens to be our entrance. It’s an adventure coming in the back entrance, to be sure, but the respites between the storms have been beautiful.

Those who make the trek get rewarded with magical views and well-deserved bubbles. Fortunately, our friends and guests to the tasting room are intrepid.

And I got a big kick out of seeing ducks swimming from my bedroom window.

Spectacular Ratings

97 points for 2006 Joy! from Wine Enthusiast. The write up by editor Jim Gordon says: “Enticing aromas of freshly baked bread and toasted baguette lead to lemon, crisp apple, and hints of almond and smoky truffles on the palate. The flavors are subtle, the fizz is fine textured, and the overall expression shows wonderful maturity and complexity.”

Wine & Spirits’ publisher Josh Greene calls it “one of the best releases of Joy! we’ve tasted.”

2014 Stargazing came in with 93 points in Wine Enthusiast, described as a “ … bone dry, mineral-rich wine (that) will start conversations and pair well with lots of fish and shellfish. Racy acidity, a tangy texture and light but bracing body are its hallmarks.

California Coastal Conservancy

I am also very proud to announce that on March 15th I was appointed by the State Senate to the California Coastal Conservancy. The Coastal Conservancy is a state agency established to protect and improve natural lands and waterways, help people access and enjoy the outdoors, and sustain local economies along the length of California’s coast and around San Francisco Bay. It is the lead agency on climate adaption.

Four O’clock Friday Tasting

We had our first Four O’clock Friday tasting at Iron Horse for the release of the 2019 Spring Rose on St. Patrick’s Day.

The next one will be April 21 to officially launch the new vintage of Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blancs. Ocean Reserve is a giving wine. Proceeds go to help protect the ocean.

The beneficiary is changing with the vintage. The first vintage of Ocean Reserve was 2005, originally benefiting National Geographic. Proceeds from the 2018 vintage are going to Mission Blue, founded by marine biologist Sylvia Earle, to establish marine protected areas around the globe. Now we are embarking on a new partnership with The Marine Mammal Center. TMMC has rescued over 24,000 marine mammals, including sea otters who besides being adorable, are a keystone species.

So looking forward to seeing you this spring.

Until then,

Joy