Sonoma-Cutrer® Releases First-Ever Sauvignon Blanc

12 May 2015--- For the first time ever, Sonoma-Cutrer has released a Sauvignon Blanc as its third offering in the Winemaker's Release Series. Most distinguished for producing world-class, award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sonoma-Cutrer has used Director of Winemaking Mick Schroeter's extensive experience in making Sauvignon Blanc to craft this special release.

A personal passion for Schroeter and the Russian River Valley location set the stage in creating this very special Sauvignon Blanc. Drawing on his many years of Sauvignon Blanc winemaking expertise, Schroeter set a very specific vision for this release. The 2014 vintage crafted from Russian River Valley fruit is bright and lively with crisp fruit notes and the classic elegance and balance that all Sonoma-Cutrer wines exhibit.

"As the third release in our Winemaker's Release series, Sauvignon Blanc allows us to showcase our winemaking expertise in a varietal that is new to Sonoma-Cutrer but is classic to the Russian River Valley," said Schroeter. "By selecting four unique Russian River Valley vineyard sites and combining tank and barrel fermentation, we were able to showcase the vibrant character of Sauvignon Blanc in our signature style."

Four unique Russian River Valley vineyard sites were chosen to produce the fruit for this wine.  Shone Farm, Mirabelle Vineyard, Wood Vineyard and Bevill Family Vineyard were each selected because of their varying geographic locations and the unique characteristics their grapes contributed to the final blending.  Together they provided an abundance of aromas and flavors from which to craft an exquisite cuvee.

The Winemaker's Release is a series of wines that showcase the craftsmanship and innovation of Sonoma County's premier winery-Sonoma-Cutrer.  It is a collection of limited-production wines under one umbrella released periodically and consisting of different varietals and blends. The first in the series was Late Harvest Chardonnay, produced from grapes left hanging on the vine well past the standard amount of ripeness, which results in – a more concentrated amount of sugar and flavor. This was followed by the 2014 release of Founders Reserve Legacy, our most premium Chardonnay crafted by Sonoma-Cutrer's past and present head winemakers – Bill Bonetti, Terry Adams and Mick Schroeter – whose pioneering spirits has had a lasting impact on the wine industry and their legacy.

Sonoma-Cutrer has been crafting wines since 1981 in the esteemed Russian River Valley growing region of Sonoma County, California. Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards utilizes proprietary cooling tunnels designed specifically to preserve the highest quality grapes, and the wines are aged in barrels made of specific French oak trees that are individually-selected to the winemakers' needs. 

Sauvignon Blanc is offered in select U.S. markets with a suggested retail price of $24.99 for a 750mL bottle. All Sonoma-Cutrer wines can be purchased at the Sonoma-Cutrer winery as well as through the wine club, Club Cutrer. For more information about our wines, how to purchase or to join Club Cutrer please visit www.sonomacutrer.com or visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/sonomacutrervineyards.

Winemaker's Notes for Sonoma-Cutrer Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is crafted in a bright and vibrant style that showcases aromas of passion fruit, lychee, lime and white peach with overtones of wet stone minerality. The palate is sleek and crisp with tropical flavors of guava and passion fruit that mingle with citrus notes of grapefruit and lime.  Partially Oak barrel fermented the wine has a nice, creamy mid-palate texture that is supported by a bright, citrus-laced acidity finish.

Sonoma-Cutrer is one of the fine wines produced and marketed by the Brown-Forman Corporation. For more than 141 years, Brown-Forman has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands.  The company's brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 160 countries worldwide.  For more information about the company, visit www.brown-forman.com. Please enjoy our wines responsibly.