Oxlee Graham Dayle's Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2022

At ACME, we take pride in championing woman-owned and operated wine brands—especially those that reflect our own values of craft, courage, and genuine passion. Oxlee Graham is one of those rare projects that feels especially meaningful. The brand was founded in 2022 by winemaker Jennie Murphy and named after her two grandmothers, Oxlee and Graham, whose maiden names now grace each bottle. Their strength, generosity, and unwavering support shaped Jennie's sense of purpose, and their influence continues to guide her each vintage.

Jennie's path to winemaking began unexpectedly. While studying chemistry at UC Davis to enter forensics, a single presentation on the role of chemistry in winemaking redirected her trajectory. A summer internship at Korbel sealed her fascination with the craft, as she fell in love with how science and artistry merge in every decision, from vineyard to bottle. Upon graduating, she joined Paul Hobbs Wines as an Enologist and, over the next decade-plus, worked her way up to Director of Winemaking, helping to modernize the lab and absorbing every facet of production along the way.

Despite her deep roots at Paul Hobbs, Jennie felt a growing desire for creative freedom to explore new varietals, new regions, and a more personal expression of style. In 2022, she took the leap and launched Oxlee Graham, crafting wines defined by minimal intervention, precise detail, and a commitment to purity and varietal character. It's a project driven equally by technical mastery and heartfelt inspiration.

The 2022 Dayle's Pinot Noir from the Gap's View Vineyard is a beautiful showcase of Jennie's approach. Aromas of wild strawberry, cranberry, rose petal, and black tea lead to a silky, lifted, and quietly powerful palate, with cool-climate tension and a long, refined finish. It's a wine that is irresistibly delicious now yet built with the finesse to evolve gracefully—an impressive debut from a winemaker who has fully stepped into her own voice.