Loxton Cellars, Glen Ellen

I first met Chris Loxton at a Rosé & paella party at my friend Margie’s home.  With his lovely accent, boyish good looks and sincere appreciation of fine wine, his neighbors in Sonoma are eager to show him off as one of their own.  He shared a bottle of his own extremely limited production of Rosé of Syrah, a dry, beautiful, fruit-driven yet balanced wine.

Chris’ winemaking is personal,  thoughtful & enthusiastic.  He loves talking “shop” but it’s never boring.  If he wasn’t so busy planting, pruning, harvesting, barreling, bottling & entertaining guests in his tasting/barrel room, I’d take up half his day chatting with him.

He makes small lots of Syrah & Zinfandel & blends.  Chris told me that he believes the hardest grape to work with is Zinfandel (not Pinot Noir which many people attest to).  He says that Zin doesn’t want to be good wine, so he works hard at it.

I highly recommend you check out Chris’ wines.  Use your VIP Pass for a Walk About with the Winemaker & Tasting for Four People (worth $40).