Kalin Cellars is one of the most unique wineries in the world. From some of the greatest vineyards in Sonoma, the wines, initially unyielding when young are matured and only released when ready. Like Lopez de Heredia and few others, the motto of Kalin is “No wine before it’s ready”.

Many winemakers can do amazing things with elevage, not many can tell you what’s really happening on a microscopic level. Terry Leighton knows about yeasts. He knows about vinification. From 30 years of vintages with Kalin Cellars and from his training as a microbiologist. You would have to think that this scientific background has informed his approach to winemaking in a quite unique way. If you’re going to approach the seemingly impossible vision of releasing wines after significant cellar time, you gotta know what you’re doing. You take on all of the risk, and as Dominique Lafon and others may admit, ageing Chardonnay isn’t always a straightforward gig.

Founded in 1977 in Marin County, the Leightons exploit vineyard sources in the Alexandre Valley, Dry Creek Road and often bottle grapes from the Wente vineyard in Livermore andr Dutton Ranch and Charles Heintz in Sonoma.

It is Terry’s belief that only a steadfast commitment to the old artisan methods can a wine improve over many years. Corners can’t be cut, and time cant be saved. In addition, one of the unique facets of Kalin is their expertise in managing yeasts that ensure that the fermentation is long and slow and tailored to the needs of the wine. No-one manages this process better.

Praise for these wines cuts across the critical spectrum:

“Terry Leighton is one of California’s two most talented winemakers … (Kalin wines) are the wines of a genius. These wines are worth every effort to find in the marketplace” Robert Parker

“The best chardonnays from the gifted Terry Leighton are some of the most extraordinary and age-worthy wines made this side of Burgundy.” Steven Tanzer

“I could write a treatise on Kalin Cellars and the brilliance of Terrance Leighton, the winemaker. The Cuvee W Chardonnay smells like the classiest of Meursaults, and its superb acidity augers well for drinking at the turn of the century. As for the Pinot Noirs, it is a question of pleading with someone already on the list if you want to sample one for yourself. Have faith in keeping them – the Sonoma Cuvee D 1979 I had the other day had a scent of Latricieres on a good day” Serena Sutcliffe

“The first California wine that made an impression on me was a 1995 Kalin Cellars Chardonnay from Sonoma County (the Cuvée LD for anyone that’s wondering). I tried it blind at Oxford, and found it amazingly complex, textural and delicious, evoking many of the qualities I’d experienced in formative white Burgundies such as the 1982 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Pucelles” William Kelley.

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