Topaz Wines

Topaz Wines
1755 Monarch Drive
Napa, California
USA 94558
Phone: (707) 252-2468
http://www.topazlateharvest.com/topaz.html

Contact: Jeff Sowells
Email: [email protected]

Greetings and Salutations to my friends of wine! Welcome to the Topaz Wines website. My name is Jeff Sowells and I'm here to tell you my story. I'll keep it short for now because you are here to learn more about my botryised late harvest wines and not about me.

I make my wines in the style of the Sauternes and Barsac regions of France. I use Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that are always kissed by Botrytis Cinera, a divine and mystical creation also known as Noble Rot. Under the ideal conditions of the ripe grapes being exposed to moisture alternating with warm dry days Botrytis can almost double the sugar content of those grapes in 3-4 weeks. Yes I'm talking serious fructose here, at times 40+ Brix. I think I have your attention now.

I have been making my own wine for over 20 years. I have helped others make, sell and drink wine for over 35 years. This ain't no over-night sensation. I'm just trying to bring it into the 21st century.During the fall of 1989 a tropical storm delivered almost two inches of rain at the beginning of harvest. It was a disaster for making dry wines as the vineyards were ravaged by botrytis. The enormous success of the '86 vintage and the glut of botrytis grapes was a sign of divine intervention to Jeff and he went to work reviving his Topaz vision. The resulting wine was recieved with even greater fanfare. It recieved a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco National Wine Competition, was served at Chez Panisse, Masa's, The Four Seasons, Domaine Chandon, Auberge Du Soleil, and the White House. Then things really started to shake!

Topaz has been enjoyed across North America, in England, Germany, France and Japan. It has been drank by past presidents, former 49er Quarterbacks and Napa Valley vineyard workers.
And please never call Topaz a "sticky"! Yes, the Aussies have that cute name for thier sweet wines and I agree they are more than a bit sticky to make, but in the finished product my wines have a beautiful balance of sugar, acid, alcohol and intense flavors. They are fresh and alive. Clean, expressive, and vibrant! Topaz is not a "Sticky"!

Winemaker: Jeff and Dawn Sowells

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