Let’s Toast to Life

Welcome to Gratus Vineyards

With some elevation and a steep hillside location, our French clonal varietals are poised to produce the highest quality fruit consisting of small berries with intense flavors. Meticulously farmed with organic sustainability throughout the Pope Valley season of hot, sunny, dry days and surprisingly chilly nights, we harvest our grapes by hand in the dark morning hours to bring cold fruit into the winery.

We sort the clusters to ensure we have only perfectly ripe clusters, free of leaves or impurities. Next, we sort the berries themselves after de-stemming. We will allow for a cold soak on the fruit’s own skin and juices for up to 5 days prior to fermentation to guarantee excellent early fruit and flavor extraction.

Once fermentation begins, we employ a variety of pump over and cap management techniques to maximize extraction while maintaining finesse. Post-fermentation, the wine is moved to the barrel, about 70% new French oak. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the barrel. We periodically rack and make blending adjustments as the wine ages, about 22 months prior to bottling.

There are no set formulas for winemaking.

Each growing season is different, and each vintage is unique. We taste daily and always do what is best for the wine. Our family takes pride in each and every step of wine-growing and winemaking. We hope you will notice and enjoy the difference!

Our Wine

With some elevation and a steep hillside location, our French clonal varietals are poised to produce the highest quality fruit consisting of small berries with intense flavors. Meticulously farmed with organic sustainability throughout the Pope Valley season of hot, sunny, dry days and surprisingly chilly nights, we harvest our grapes by hand in the dark morning hours to bring cold fruit into the winery.

2017 Petit Sirah

Rustic and wild with ripe blackberry and hints of spice, this is our best Petite Sirah so far. Pair with grilled meats and game.

2018 Gratus White Rhône Blend

Tired of Chardonnay? Bored with flabby Sauvignon Blanc? Gratus’ White Rhone Blend is wonderfully and refreshingly different. In the glass, it is a pale, golden color. On the nose, there are notes of crisp pear, white peach, tropical fruit and fresh white linen. On the palate, one notes bright acidity, crisp yet still with a creamy mouthfeel. There is a great texture and structure, unusual for a white wine, with a slatey minerality. This wine has long length and a clean finish. Drink casually with a sharp white cheese, like Manchego, and slices of D’anjou pear. Pair with seafood, ceviche, a steamy bowl of mussels, or lobster.

2018 L’ovey Rosè

L’ovey Rose is stunning salmon pink color. Strawberry, cherry overtones hit the nose with a hint of rose petals. L’ovey is crisp, dry and fruity with just of flash of residual sweetness. It has medium length and a super pleasant, long finish. Serve cold on a hot day, on the patio, picnic, or beach. Pair at dinner with poached salmon and lemon capers.

2016 Red Blend

Gratus Red Blend is dark ruby color, with intense blue and black fruits on the nose. On the palate, enjoy deep ripe blackberry, cassis, and black cherry, with lingering traces of vanilla spice and cedar, enhance with a creamy mouthfeel. This is a balanced, imminently approachable wine with well-integrated tannins and all the structure, depth, and intensity of a hillside Napa Valley Cabernet. This wine is made for a porterhouse steak

2017 Malbec

Gratus Malbec is a dark garnet color. There is ripe, plummy fruit on the nose. The palate is indulged in ripe, lively black cherry fruit with hints of violets, savory spices and a rocky minerality. This is an elegant wine: polished, balanced, with soft velvety tannins. Sip with friends with your favorite creamy blue cheese. Great for summer grilling and “slipping a shrimp on the Barbie".

2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

This big, bold, 100% varietal estate Cabernet Sauvignon has everything you expect from a Napa Valley Cab: luscious, jammy dark fruits, a caramel creaminess expanding into the mid palate with outstanding body, texture and flavors. A super elegant and balanced wine, it was worth the wait. This wine is waiting for a juicy steak.

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