Pale-plus salmon color; strawberry, watermelon Jolly Rancher, cherry, orange zest, citrus blossom, magnolia flower, violets on the nose and palate.
Dry; light tannins; bright, fresh acidity (3.28 pH). Made from field blend of Rhône varietals syrah, grenache, viognier sourced from estate’s Heritage vineyard, Durell. Produced using saignée method where juice is “bled” from fermenting red wines to effect brief skin contact. Fermented and finished in stainless steel.
This is a delicate, subtle wine with a velvety texture. Medium body, substantial mouthfeel. Nicely extended finish. Rosé made using the saignée method typically has more color, aromatics, and alcohol than the more traditional direct press method. The 2023 vintage experienced a wet winter and a cool summer, increasing acidity and allowing longer hang time for the grapes to create more depth and layering of the fruit. The Casteñada Collection is named after Don Juan Casteñada, the brother of General Mariano Vallejo. Don Juan built the Vallejo-Casteñada Adobe home in1842. It has been restored and now serves as the winery’s hospitality home in downtown Sonoma. 13.9% ABV
Three Sticks owns, farms, and produces every grape and every drop of wine from its own estate vineyards. The operation specializes in chardonnay and pinot noir. Ryan Prichard is the director of winemaking. Rob Harris is vice president in charge of vineyards. Prema Kerollis is the co-founder and general manager. Bill Price III is the proprietor, which reflects his ownership interests in Three Sticks Wines, Kistler Vineyards, Gary Farrell Winery, and Head High. The “three sticks” name comes from the nickname Price’s surfing buddies gave him when he was growing up in Hawaii—referring to the III at the end of his name.
Three Sticks wines are estate bottled, which is not a common thing. Three Sticks does so in order to control the entire process, from vine to bottle. According to the U.S. Alcohol & Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau: “Estate bottled means that 100 percent of the wine came from grapes grown on land owned or controlled by the winery, and both the winery and the vineyard must be located within the boundaries of the labeled viticultural area.” The majority of U.S. wineries are not allowed to put “estate bottled” on their labels.
Three Sticks Casteñada Rosé, Sonoma 2023 is polished, demure, elegant; fresh, fruity; polite tannins and refreshing acidity and complexity justify its premium rosé status. It is the highest priced rosé made in Sonoma. Easily defends Three Sticks as a premier Sonoma maker with 100% estate wines and production on the estate. This certainly is worthy of being sipped solo. Its significant acidity amplifies flavors. Pair with raw seafood, light fish, butter-poached lobster, Dungeness crab; oysters; scallop ceviche; duck confit;; quail. Heirloom tomato salad; roasted vegetables; ricotta-stuffed zucchini blossoms. It can work with desserts—lychee puree, mint grania, strawberry sorbet. Cheese—high-fat cheeses, triple-crème brie or burrata; feta, halloumi; aged goat cheese—humboldt fog; aged gouda, comté, gruyère; gorgonzola dolce. Avoid overpowering blue cheeses, washed-rind cheeses, and heavily smoked cheeses. $45-55
