On Wednesday, July 10th, 2024, we had the opportunity to once again interview Joel Peterson. Joel is the owner and winemaker for Once & Future Winery. We covered seven new-release 2022 vintage single vineyard Zinfandels and one Petite Sirah with Joel during our interview. Our previous interview with Joel was in June of 2023. We then covered eight 2021 vintage Zins and an impressive 2020 Red Blend. Check out what we learned from Joel this time.
Before we get to the wines, I thought I would share some tidbits Joel shared.
- I told Joel that I thought the 2022 Mataro was perhaps the best rendition of that wine that I could remember.
- Joel advised that it was a small crop with good concentration and depth of flavors.
- He also mentioned that Tegan took over the Oakley lease and is now farming it, which also helps.
- I also observed that Joel was using lighter bottles and no capsules. We all agreed that this was better on many fronts.
I also asked Joel what was the meaning of the keyhole in the leaf on his logo? Joel told us, it was symbolizing unlocking the secrets of the vine.- The 2022 vintage is considered by most to be a very difficult vintage. Joel avoided most of the problems because he picked before the extreme heat, so that provided a very good result for him.
- Joel describes 2023 as a fabulous vintage, so we are really looking forward to covering those wines!
- He advised that the Belloni Vineyard Zinfandel is returning to the lineup in 2023. I can’t wait!
- He also advised that the 2023 Dickerson Zin will be its last vintage from Once & Future.
- Old Hill Ranch has one of the longest histories – Joel mentioned that Merry Edwards made a Zin from there in 1978 for Mt. Eden Vineyards. Their website said it sold for $8.50. Joel started buying the vineyards grapes in 1984.
- Of all of Joel’s sites, he says that the Bacigalupi Vineyard is the coolest site with the fewest sun hours, so it is late ripening.
- Palisades Vineyard Petite Sirah: Joel tends to pick earlier than others from this site, which helps define his style of this wine.
- We asked Joel about whole cluster crushing for Zin. Joel felt that Zin does not generally benefit from whole cluster.
Below is a summary of the wine offerings from Once & Future that we covered with Joel. The links below are to our full reviews. If you are interested in ordering and trying these wines, you will find some of these wines via your favorite fine wine shop or on top quality wines lists. You can also find a few online. Your best bet is to call (855) 566-3946 or e-mail the winery for information. (info@onceandfuturewine.com)
- Once and Future 2022 Zinfandel “Oakley Road Vineyard” (Contra Costa County) $50 (KWGTP 93)
- Once and Future 2022 Zinfandel “Dickerson Vineyard” (Napa Valley) $55 (KWGTP 92.5)
- Once and Future 2022 Zinfandel “Bedrock Vineyard” (Sonoma Valley) $50 (KWGTP 95)
- Once and Future 2022 Zinfandel “Bacigalupi Vineyard” (RRV) $50 (KWGTP 93.5)
- Once and Future 2022 Zinfandel “Green & Red Vineyard” (Napa Valley) $50 (KWGTP 93)
- Once and Future 2022 Zinfandel “Old Hill Ranch” (Sonoma Valley) $55 (KWGTP 94.5)
- Once and Future 2022 Zinfandel “Teldeschi Vineyard Frank’s Block” (DCV) $50 (KWGTP 93)
- Once and Future 2022 Petite Sirah “Palisades Vineyard” (Calistoga) $65 (KWGTP 95)
Other Once & Future Wines Covered In Tastings, Pre & Post Interview
- Once and Future 2022 Mataro “Oakley Road Vineyard” $40 (KWGTP 93)
- Once and Future 2022 Merlot “Sangiacomo Vineyard” (Carneros) $65 (KWGTP 92.5)
- Once and Future 2022 Zinfandel “Napa Valley” $25 (KWGTP 91)
- Once and Future 2022 Zinfandel “Vogensen Vineyard” (DCV) $50 (KWGTP 92)
You can find reviews of past and future Once and Future wines that we cover on the Once and Future KWG winery page on our website. We hope you enjoy these terrific wines as much as we did. Cheers! – Ken