Glassmaker Wine Co. is the project of Jonathan Walton, who founded it in 2015 after years working in tasting rooms and cellars from New Zealand to New York. The name honors his mother, Phyllis Glassmaker, and the farming heritage of that side of his family, which carried him from Iowa grain fields to California vineyards.
Backstory
Walton's introduction to wine came as a child visiting Salinas Valley tasting rooms, and his curiosity grew through organic foods, artisanal cheese and the wine regions of Europe. He sharpened his craft at Brooklyn Oenology, Martinelli, Huia and Failla before launching Glassmaker as his own label.
The Region
Glassmaker works with vineyards across California, drawing fruit from Sonoma, Lodi, Contra Costa and Monterey counties. Walton has a particular love of Northern Rhone Syrah, and the range reflects a wide-ranging interest in California's diverse sites and grapes.
Vineyards and Farming
The wines come from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards, some of which Walton tends himself, with an emphasis on dry farming. Varieties include Zinfandel, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Roussanne.
Winemaking
Every wine is made the same honest way: spontaneous primary and malolactic fermentation, aging in old and neutral oak, no fining, no filtration, and only a tiny addition of sulfur. The approach lets each site and vintage speak plainly.
The Wines
The result is a lineup of varietal bottlings and blends, including skin-contact whites and a range of reds, that capture California terroir with minimal intervention.
