September 2, 2022
By rackhouse
Born in Kansas, Sean Minor was surrounded by agriculture, hard work, and the values responsible for the unwavering work ethic of Midwestern families. The practice of caring for the land and bringing the harvest to the dinner table has always been close to Sean’s heart, and winemaking celebrates this concept to its full extent.
His career in wine began after a formal education in finance from Arizona State University where he also met his wife, Nicole. They moved to California after graduation, where Sean began his fine wine career working for Napa Valley’s Beaulieu Vineyard. He knew right from the start the wine industry was the right place for him. He began taking classes at U.C. Davis in Viticultural and Enology in hopes of developing a further understanding of grape growing and wine production.
Sean and Nicole moved to the Pacific Northwest after being recruited by King Estate Winery to manage the Estate. It was here that Sean met Will Bucklin, King Estate’s then winemaker, and developed an even stronger knowledge of winemaking. He learned firsthand the importance of site-specific viticulture and ended up leaving King Estate to lead Benton Lane Winery, rounding out his cool climate viticulture experience.
Sean, Nicole, and their three kids (the fourth yet to be born) returned to California in 2001 for the opportunity to manage Renwood Winery and enhance his experience growing and marketing some of the Golden State’s best Zinfandel and Syrah. Four years later, they founded Sean Minor Wines and the rest is history.
The Chardonnay fruit was 100% whole-cluster pressed to minimize astringency from the skins and immediately racked to stainless steel. Once settled, a portion was fermented in small French oak barrels while the remaining lot was left in stainless steel tanks to ferment. The slow and cool fermentation allowed the wine to develop a balance of ripe tropical fruit flavors and crisp apple and mineral nuances. Once primary fermentation was completed, a portion of the wine went through malo-lactic fermentation which softens and provides a perfect balance.
This Central Coast Chardonnay is a delicate golden straw color layered with pear, apple, grilled pineapple, and subtle notes of vanilla cream scone. The entry weaves tropical fruit with green apple and white peach framed with gentle acidity. Inviting flavors will fill your palate with a beautiful lengthy finish.
related posts:
Responsible for some of Washington’s most highly acclaimed wines, the Walla Walla Valley has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years and is home to both historic wineries and younger, up-and-coming producers. The Walla Walla Valley, a Native American name meaning “many waters,” is located in southeastern Washington; part of the appellation actually extends
Read MoreTiny and entirely composed of craggy, jagged and deeply terraced vineyards, Priorat is a Catalan wine-producing region that was virtually abandoned until the early 1990s. This Spanish wine’s renaissance came with the arrival of one man, René Barbier, who recognized the region’s forgotten potential. He banded with five friends to create five “Clos” in the
Read MoreThe Crane Assembly was founded in 2012 by friends Dave Phinney, Darryl Browman, Kevin A. Fox, and Byran Sandoli when they purchased one of Napa Valley’s historic viticultural landmarks. An eight-acre vineyard that was planted by the famous Dr. George Beldon Crane. Located in the gravel rich soils of southern St. Helena, it is believed
Read More