Hammerling Sunflower Sutra Brut Nature California 2023

Over the last ten years, the wine industry has seen a significant increase in sparkling wine production, particularly in California. And we are here for it! We take great delight in tasting new ventures from seasoned winemakers and debuts from up-and-comers. One of our newest finds is Hammerling Wines. Started by Josh Hammerling in 2018, the brand focuses on low-intervention sparklings from coastal California vineyards. Despite his hands-off approach to winemaking, what intrigues Josh most about making bubbles is how each wine can be a years-long project, with small decisions for not one but two fermentations. With each choice along the way shaping the final product, Josh fills with pride when the sparkling wine in the glass is reminiscent of the place the grapes were grown and a joy to drink.

Josh launched Hammerling in Berkeley, California, while working for fellow urban winery, Broc Cellars. It may not be the first place that comes to mind when one thinks about wine production; however, this urban community has fostered a lot of new talent in the low-intervention space and is the ideal central landing spot for Josh, who travels up and down the coast to his vineyard sources. He is deeply involved at every level, from harvest to pressing to riddling to disgorging; Josh's wines are all handmade. Occasionally, he dabbles in making "pet nat"-style wines, but most are crafted in the traditional method perfected in Champagne. While it is labor-intensive due to its multi-step process, sparkling producers consider it the gold standard for creating wines with finesse and texture.

The Sunflower Sutra is his flagship wine, a blend from vineyards across California that changes each vintage depending on harvest. 2023 comes from two vineyards in Carmel Valley, one in Napa Valley, and one in Santa Lucia Highlands. The wine is comprised of 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, and 20% Pinot Meunier. First fermentation occurred in stainless steel and neutral oak barrels, with a short 6-month aging period, varietals kept separate, before blending and another 22 months in bottle. Josh's tasting notes keep it short and sweet: "oyster shell. preserved lemon. honey crisp apple. golden raspberry."