“In the company of friends and a bottle of wine, every moment becomes a celebration.”
~ Beverly Crandon
When March arrives, it marks the winding down of winter and the first hints of spring; the month’s weather is, according to the adage, “in like the lion and out like the lamb.” While we eagerly wait for the return of warmth, vintners in many regions are also watching for signs of vines waking up (sap!) and starting bud break.
Both wines that TeamWine tasted for this month are from regions that are now getting ready to welcome their 2026 grapes. But, of course, wine tasting is about looking—or, rather, tasting—back in time to past harvests.
TeamWine first tasted the white wine selection from California: Grounded Sauvignon Blanc by Josh Phelps (13% ABV; $15).
The Grounded Sauvignon Blanc is made using 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes, and the one we tasted is the 2024 vintage. The story for that harvest involves a late start to the season because of winter rains and a cool spring, but the late-season weather allowed for extra ripening time. The crop load, however, was lower than usual because of those conditions.
When ready, the grapes were harvested in the early morning and were pressed immediately and cold-fermented in jacketed stainless-steel tanks. This helped the vibrancy and bright acidity of the wine. The good news for the low crop load was that they could harvest earlier and, it turns out, before a stretch of intense heat that would have diminished the vibrancy.
The bright acidity of this Sauvignon Blanc is not as heightened as it is with the same grape in New Zealand; instead, the acid is “not overwhelming,” from one member of TeamWine, but it’s still in line with the fresh (but subdued) zestiness of a typical Sauvignon Blanc which helped another member guess the varietal.
The color has a “hint of yellow,” another member wrote, and that may be a clue to the delicate balance of this wine. Likewise, the body is light and crisp, and while the taste of the wine is equally delicate it does have a surprisingly long, bright finish.
To read the remainder of this premium article and other premium articles in their entirety, pick up the Julien’s Journal March 2026 issue.Single issues are available in print for free at area newsstands, or you can click here to read the entire article for free in the digital version of the magazine.
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