Aperture, Chenin Blanc, Sonoma County 2021

“Matured in stainless steel and 20% used oak for six months. It has very pretty scents of white peach, honeysuckle, beeswax, biscuit, and green herbs. The palate is silky, mouthwatering, and surprisingly gregarious with intense, nutty fruit and a long, elegant finish. Generous yet structured, the Aperture Chenin Blanc is getting better every year, and this 2021 is worthy of 3-5+ years in bottle”-94WA

Andy Katz made his name as a great photographer of his generation. His work graces coffee-table books, galleries and album covers across the globe. While he was travelling the world for his art, he made a point of bringing along his son, Jesse, to experience it all with him. Over the years, they both benefited from an international wine education that even master sommeliers would envy—sipping with Olivier Leflaive and his family, working through famous wine cellar of Cheval Blanc and in a late-night tasting of Sassicaia. It’s come full circle now with Aperture: Jesse makes the wine—some of the most critically lauded in the world—and Andy supplies the photos. Andy’s vision, Jesse’s taste, smell, and touch.

Jesse Katz has, in a remarkably short period of time, made himself into one of the most respected wine professionals in California. He was the first winemaker ever to be included in the Forbes 30 under 30 list, a Wine Enthusiast 40 under 40 Tastemaker, and had been named a Wine Spectator “Rising Star.” Jesse’s mission for Aperture is to find the top cool-climate spots around California for his beloved grape varieties to thrive in. “Live my father’s ability to tell amazing stories through his photography, my greatest joy is bringing together the intricacies of space, place, and time—in essence, the terroir—that make an exceptional bottle of wine.”

The Aperture Chenin Blanc is a vibrant and bright wine, coming from old vines planted in the 1940s. It is a product of its rich clay loam soils and colder, brisk nights that are made possible by the delta Breeze coming in off the San Francisco Bay. These heritage grapes from the Clarksburg vineyard benefit from naturally warm days and brisk, cool nights made possible by the “Delta Breeze” from the San Francisco Bay. These temperature gusts help create a long growing season and beautifully developed fruit.