You can’t spend a weekend in Sonoma County without hearing someone talk about Aperture Cellars. The winemaker, Jesse Katz is often said to be a prodigy when it comes to the vines, and is currently one of the most sought after winemakers in all of California, if not the world.
The tasting room is an homage to his father, famous photographer Andy Katz, who raised him as a single parent while traveling to document some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Many of which, the story goes, were vineyards.
This early exposure inspired Jesse to go into winemaking, as he quickly progressed from cellar rat to becoming the country’s youngest head winemaker at just twenty five years old.
About Aperture Cellars
Location
Just down the road from Healdsburg in Sonoma County
Tasting Fee
$50, only waived for wine club members
Sustainability
Follow sustainable practices, with certifications currently in progress
Accessibility
Single story, step free access to the entire hospitality area
In Three Words
contemporary, sophisticated, fresh
Our Visit to Aperture Cellars
I arrived at Aperture bright and early for our soil series tasting on a typically crisp Sonoma morning. Despite being just off the main road, the tasting room seemed to transport us to a secluded countryside idyll.
The rows of vines, bright and leafy in this first blush of summer, were perfectly framed the mountains rising in the distance. Coming from the son of a famous photographer, I guess I’d expect nothing less.
Our hostess, Mackenzie, was so much fun. Despite only knowing us for a few minutes, she made an effort to tailor our tasting to our individual tastes and experiences. We talked about everything from the winemakers formative inspiration to climate change and the future of viticulture in the region.
The variety and versatility of the wines we tasted totally blew my mind. During our tasting we learned that the winemaker, Jesse, sees his work as an extension of the same storytelling and artistry he learned through his father.
Even as casual tasters, this sense of artistry was evident in every glass. Each wine we tasted was truly special, reflecting a sense of both place and time.
The wines, hospitality, and design at Aperture Cellars were all equally stunning. Despite its buzz and popularity, there wasn’t an ounce of pretension or snobbiness either. Just a true love of wine.
I’d recommend a visit to Aperture Cellars to any friend in a heartbeat, and can’t wait to return to explore the rest of their wines again soon myself.
