With several of the rarely-seen wines of Tegan Passalacqua landing, we can’t help but urge our people to have his wines on the table this coming week.

His personal project (Sandlands) and seminal work from Turley (including the world’s most delicious White Zin?) are highlighted below!

TURLEY ARRIVALS:

Tegan Passalacqua stepped into the shoes of Ehren Jordan (now at Failla) in 2003 at this seminal winery. And in the 20+ years since he’s been there, he hasn’t just stewarded the ship; he’s been one of the major influences in its evolution.

Under his watch the winery has added to its famous lineup, with the world’s oldest Cinsault, an inspired focus on his home county of Lodi, and – as a wink to the wine-world – a delicious rosé of Zin (also known as, White Zinfandel).

2023 Turley Wine Cellars White Zinfandel Napa Valley $29
Picked for freshness, the wine is fermented in tank before being barreled down for 7 months.

2023 Turley Wine, Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard, California $34
A juicy, highly quenching Cinsault from the famed vineyard, which was planted in 1885.

2022 Turley Wine Cellars Old Vines Zinfandel, California $35
A blend of sites with a focus on old concentrated vines, average vine age here is 89 years.

2022 Turley Wine Cellars Steacy Ranch Zinfandel, Lodi $40
In Tegan's backyard, Steacy is a 100+ year old site in his home Lodi County.

2022 Turley Wine Cellars Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel, Paso Robles $60
One of Turley’s most coveted Zinfandels and one it’s few from Paso Robles. All from dry farmed Dusi vineyard.

2022 Turley Wine Cellars Estate Zinfandel, California $50
From the OG Frog Farm in Napa Valley. Though it says Zin on the label, it's co-planted and made with Carignane, Trousseau, and Cinsault.

2022 Turley Wine Cellars Ueberroth Vineyard Zinfandel, Paso Robles $70
This is the oldest vineyard Turley works with. Vines pushing 150 years old on limestone, one of the most impressive Zinfandels in the range. 

2022 Turley Wine Cellars Cedarman Vineyard Zinfandel Howell Mountain $45
One of the highest elevation vineyards in Napa, this is a long, impressive Zinfandel. 

2022 Turley Wine Cellars Hayne Vineyard Petite Syrah, Napa Valley $92
Everything you want from old-vine Petite Syrah. Bush-trained, dry farmed power in the glass.

SANDLANDS ARRIVALS:

This is where Tegan gets to express his love of California’s diversity, exploring its unknown corners and highlighting rarely seen varietals.

This is the second (small) drop this year, which includes wines from his home vineyard and tiny drops of his signature Chenin Blanc.

For those new to the wines, see our Journal from last year! 

2022 Sandlands Vineyards Zinfandel Lodi $45
Tegan's true home vineyard, planted in 1915.

2022 Sandlands Vineyards Carignane Lodi $34
Planted in fine sandy loam, this shows Carignane's incredible capacity for elegance in warm climates. 

2022 Sandlands Vineyards Amador County Chenin Blanc $33
Barrel fermented Chenin from old (planted in 1979) dry farmed vines in Amador County.

2022 Sandlands Vineyards Contra Costa County Mataro, $40
Aka Mourvèdre, from 100+ year old vines in Contra Costa County. Heady but lifted, fresh and elegant.

2022 Sandlands Cinsault Lodi, California $35
A great comparison to the Turley Cinsault but with a destemmed, more translucent style. Arrives Monday, Nov. 25th.

2022 Sandlands Red Table Wine Lodi $35
This is not leftover fruit; it's an extremely intentional wine meant to fully express the county with equal parts Bechtold (Cinsault), Spenker Ranch (Carignane) and Kirschenmann (Zinfandel) vineyards.

2022 Sandlands Vineyards Red Table Wine Contra Costa County $35
If you’ve had his Mataro and/or Carignan (from Contra Costa), those are the two components that make up this elegant wine defined by the deep, pure sand.