The Wine Makers – Justin Ennis, Freestone Winery, Joseph Phelps

Winemaker Justin Ennis crafts Freestone wines with a deep attention to detail, capturing the distinct character of each vineyard while balancing the vibrancy of the terroir with a refined, elegant structure. Now, that deep-rooted vision comes to market, as Justin and the winery introduce these vineyard-driven wines to a broader audience for the first time. “Everything begins in the vineyard. Through hands-on farming and careful attention, we work to bring in fruit that’s expressive and healthy. In the cellar, I practice minimal intervention winemaking so that the site, the varietal, the clone, and the vintage can speak for themselves,” said Ennis. “The wine is already in the vineyard; my job is simply not to get in its way.” In the 1990s, Joseph Phelps and his son Bill set out to find a place in California’s wine country where they could produce superlative Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The search led him to a place no one suspected – a tiny, unincorporated town called Freestone, tucked away off a quiet highway heading toward the Sonoma Coast. Joe’s peers and friends deemed it too cold, too rugged, too remote for serious winemaking. Starting May 1, these limited production wines became available in select restaurants and fine wine retailers across the U.S. freestonevineyards.com @freestonevineyards @norcal_wino