Inspiration Vineyards & Winery

“A little Inspiration makes every day a celebration.”
Welcome to Inspiration Vineyards and Winery. Founded in 2002, our mission hasn’t wavered: we strive to produce high quality, food-friendly wines at an affordable price, using the finest quality grapes grown throughout Sonoma County.

2021 Inspiration Cabernet Sauvignon, Gallaway, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

Since starting my winery, I’ve been working with Brian Gallaway’s vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. I love the ripeness and smooth tannins that this wine produces year after year. One benefit of this style of Cabernet is that it is ready to drink upon release. No need to wait 10 years before the tannins are approachable.

Tasting Notes

You’ll find concentrated berry flavors of cassis, blackberry and tea, ending in a long finish with notes of mocha and cedar. Enjoy now or lay down for more aging. Unfiltered – 50 cases produced.

Pairing

Flat iron steak with chimichanga sauce.

Specs

• Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• AVA: Dry Creek Valley – Sonoma County
• Barrel Program: 16 months aged in medium toast French oak, 30% new.

2022 Inspiration Cabernet Sauvignon, Gallaway, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

Since starting my winery, I’ve been working with Brian Gallaway’s vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. I love the ripeness and smooth tannins that this wine produces year after year.

Tasting Notes

Slightly lighter in texture than the 2021 vintage, you’ll find this wine full of blackberry, red current and notes of mocha and vanilla. Enjoy now or lay down for more aging. Unfiltered – 75 cases produced.

Pairing

Fillet mignon or burgers, take your pick!

Specs

• Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• AVA: Dry Creek Valley – Sonoma County
• Barrel Program: 16 months aged in medium toast French oak, 30% new.

2022 Inspiration Merlot, Weiler Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

In 2017, I was fortunate enough to be introduced to grape grower George Weiler. Since then, we’ve become good friends and have spent time traveling in Europe and enjoying some great food and wines together. When he offered up some Merlot to work with, I jumped at the chance!

Tasting Notes

You’ll find this luscious Merlot full of cassis and ripe blackberry, with notes of vanilla, ending with a long finish. Enjoy now or lay down for more aging.

Specs

• Alcohol: 14.1%
• Unfiltered
• Production: 50 cases

2021 Inspiration Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Green Valley of Russian River Valley

Vintage Description

Since receiving the accolades from our Best of Class vintage a decade ago, we’ve been producing world class Pinot Noir from two small vineyards we farm in the Green Valley.

Tasting Notes

Composed of Pommard and the three classic Dijon clones of 115, 667 & 777, you’ll find full flavors of black cherry, leather with an earthiness of damp soil, and tobacco on the finish.

Specs

• Alcohol: 14.2%
• Unfiltered
• Production: 75 cases

2022 Inspiration Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Green Valley of Russian River Valley

Vintage Description

Since receiving the accolades from our Best of Class vintage a decade ago, we’ve been producing world class Pinot Noir from two small vineyards we farm in the Green Valley.

Tasting Notes

Composed of Pommard and the three classic Dijon clones of 115, 667 & 777, you’ll find full flavors of black cherry, leather with an earthiness of damp soil, and tobacco on the finish.

Specs

• Alcohol: 14.2%
• Unfiltered
• Production: 75 cases

2021 Inspiration Trois Amis Red Bordeaux Style Blend, Sonoma County

We’re often asked, why “three friends” for our first Bordeaux style blend when there are only two grape varieties used to make our first vintage. Our response? Three friends were involved in helping to make this wine, of course!

Vintage Description

Our 2021 vintage marries 50% Cabernet Sauvignon grown by Brian Gallaway and 50% of Merlot grown by George Weiler. And of course, there is Jon Phillips the wine maker who officiated in pulling it all together.

Tasting Notes

Lots of rich flavors of Cassis, Cedar, Black Cherry, Mocha and a long finished with balanced acidity that makes this an amazing wine for that perfectly cooked steak!

Specs

• Alcohol: 14.1%
• Unfiltered
• Production: 50 cases

2022 Inspiration Trois Amis Red Bordeaux Style Blend, Sonoma County

Two friends, three varieties! The goal of when we came up with Trois Amis was to produce a wine with at least three Bordeaux grape varieties. Thanks to Brian & George, we’re able accomplish this in Sonoma County!

Vintage Description

This wine is produced from 33% Cabernet Sauvignon from Brian Gallaway’s vineyard in Dry Creek Valley, and 33% Cabernet Franc plus 34% Merlot from George Weiler’s vineyard in Sonoma Valley.

Tasting Notes

You’ll find amazing depth and complexity with tons of rich flavors of Cassis, Black Berry, Cedar, Black Cherry, Mocha, Black Tea, and Vanilla with a long finished and balanced acidity.

• Alcohol: 14.1%
• Unfiltered
• Production: 75 cases

2020, 2021 OR 2022 Inspiration Grenache, Sonoma Valley

Produced from the Ceja Farms Vineyard in Sonoma Valley, we consider this to be our “magical” wine because after just one sip, you’ll discover why it’s easy for this wine to magically disappear before you know it, making it dangerously delicious!

2021 Inspiration Grenache, Sonoma Valley

Tasting Notes

With a deeper red color than other vintages, the nose has a pronounced aroma of strawberries that carries through on the palate. Hints of spice are present as a result of a few months in a relatively new American oak barrel. With balanced acidity and light on alcohol, this is the perfect summer wine that’s drinking a bowel of strawberries on a spring day. 50 cases produced.

• Pairing: Pork loin with a Grenache wine and cherry reduction
• Varietal: 100% Grenache
• AVA: Sonoma Valley – Sonoma County
• Barrel Program: 50% used FO + 50% once filled AO, barrel aged for 15 months
• Alcohol: 13.1%
• pH: 3.24
• TA: 6.8 g/L
• RS: 4.0 g/L

2020 Inspiration Grenache, Ceja Farms, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County

Tasting Notes

On inspection, the wine has a light red color, reflecting the fact that where these grapes are grown is quite cool which impacts color production in the berries. On the nose, the smell of ripe red fruit jumps out at you with hints of raspberry and strawberry. On the pallet, strawberries jump out at you with notes of sweet tobacco. With balanced acidity, this wine is easy to drink and ready without additional aging. 50 cases produced.

• Pairing: Roast chicken
• Varietal: 100% Grenache
• AVA: Sonoma Valley – Sonoma County
• Barrel Program: 100% used FO, barrel aged 15 months
• Alcohol: 14.1%
• pH: 3.31
• TA: 6.3 g/L
• RS: 5.0 g/L

2022 Inspiration Grenache, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County

Tasting Notes

With the color of rose petals, the nose reflects ripe strawberries with a hint of violets. On the palate, strawberries, leather, and tobacco. As has been the consistent style of my Grenache, these wines are ready to drink now. Just be careful, you’ll find that once opened, this wine will quickly disappear once poured into your glass. 50 cases produced.

• Pairing: Duck breast with a cranberry & Grenache wine glaze
• Varietal: 100% Grenache
• AVA: Sonoma Valley – Sonoma County
• Barrel Program:
• Alcohol: 13.9%
• pH: 3.28
• TA: 6.5 g/L
• RS: 4.0 g/L
• 100 used FO, barrel aged for 15 months

Inspiration Mystery Bottle

Customer will receive one of the following wines:

• 2022 Inspiration Viognier, Canihan Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
  OR
• 2020 Inspiration Zinfandel, Ray’s Zin, Russian River Valley
  OR
• 2022 Inspiration Zinfandel, Ray’s Zin, Russian River Valley
  OR
• 2022 Inspiration Syrah, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma County

2022 Inspiration Viognier, Canihan Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

Produced from grapes grown from the Canihan Vineyard in Sonoma Valley, you’ll find rich flavors of pumpkin spice, stone fruit and honeysuckle notes, typical of great Viognier. Made in stainless steel to preserve the fruit and aromatics, yet allowed to be produced totally dry, this is an excellent food wine, great with seafood dishes.

• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Production: 50 cases

2020 or 2022 Inspiration Zinfandel, Ray’s Zin, Russian River Valley

Years ago my friend Ray and his wife Kathy asked me if I would take over farming their little Zinfandel vineyard. After having to sell my own estate property that was a mile away in 2018, I welcomed the opportunity to continue to farm a dry farmed, head pruned Zinfandel vineyard in the Russian River Valley. This particular vineyard is different than my old estate vineyard because it doesn’t have the influence of eucalyptus trees on the property that gave my old vine zinfandel a white pepper, clove and bay quality. However, this vineyard does provide some dried fruit notes that Zinfandel is known for.

2020 Inspiration Zinfandel, Ray’s Zin, Russian River Valley

If you’re a fan of claret-style Zinfandel, then it will be hard for you to resist this wine once you open it. On the nose, you’ll find dried cranberry and hints of white pepper. The dried cranberries and raspberries come out on the palate with a dusty, earthy, and dried fruit finish. Light on alcohol, you won’t feel embarrassed if you finish the entire bottle over lunch or dinner. Unfiltered – 25 cases produced.

• Pairing: Cobb Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• pH: 3.23
• TA: 6.9 g/L
• RS: 2.0 g/L

2022 Inspiration Zinfandel, Ray’s Zin, Russian River Valley

A much longer hang time than I would normally permit allowed full ripeness to develop and more concentrated flavors than the 2020 vintage. You’ll also find this wine perceivably warmer than the 2020 vintage with more intense raspberry and black pepper notes while the signature dried fruit flavors come through on the finish. Unfiltered – 25 cases produced.

• Pairing: Cheeseburger and Fries
• Alcohol: 14.2%
• pH: 3.30
• TA 6.2 g/L
• RS 3.0 g/L

2022 Inspiration Syrah, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma County

Have you ever wanted to just scream?  My opening line has nothing to do with this cold climate Syrah from the Petaluma Gap… but the vineyard is just a few hundred yards from the creepy old house that was used in the filming of the Scream movie franchise.
The owner from the property came to us looking for a place to crush some grapes for his own restaurant program and we’ve been working with Larry ever since.  In 2022, my Syrah source from Dry Creek Valley wasn’t available, thanks to poor weather conditions, so I thought I’d play with some of Larry’s fruit to see what I could make of it…  This particular vineyard is probably one of the coolest locations in Sonoma County besides the Los Carneros region.  On foggy mornings, it’s one of the last places growing grapes that burns off, allowing for very cold fruit which preserves acidity, not to mention the ominous feeling that you get when walking in the vineyard and see the old house spying on you.
My first impression when nosing this wine are the hints of lavender and dried cranberries that carries through to wet worn leather.  On the palate, the cranberries reappear with notes of pepper and tobacco.  This wine is totally dry, with a slightly higher acid to fruit ration, making it a good wine to serve with cheeses that have a high butter fat, or my favorite, a juicy cheeseburger.  100 cases produced.

• Pairing: Smash burger with bacon, cheddar cheese and fries
• Varietal: 100% Syrah
• AVA: Petaluma Gap – Sonoma County
• Barrel Program: 15 months aged in 100% neutral French oak
• Alcohol: 12.0%
• pH 3.20
• TA 7.1 g/L
• RS 1.0 g/L

What’s Included?

• 1x 2021 OR 2022 Inspiration Cabernet Sauvignon, Gallaway, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
• 1x 2022 Inspiration Merlot, Weiler Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
• 1x 2021 OR 2022 Inspiration Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Green Valley of Russian River
• 1x 2021 OR 2022 Inspiration Trois Amis Red Bordeaux Style Blend, Sonoma County
• 1x 2020, 2021 OR 2022 Inspiration Grenache, Sonoma Valley
• 1x Inspiration Mystery Bottle:
  2022 Inspiration Viognier, Canihan Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
  2020 Inspiration Zinfandel, Ray’s Zin, Russian River Valley
  2022 Inspiration Zinfandel, Ray’s Zin, Russian River Valley
  2022 Inspiration Syrah, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma County
  OR
• 2x 2021 OR 2022 Inspiration Cabernet Sauvignon, Gallaway, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
• 2x 2022 Inspiration Merlot, Weiler Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
• 2x 2021 OR 2022 Inspiration Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Green Valley of Russian River
• 2x 2021 OR 2022 Inspiration Trois Amis Red Bordeaux Style Blend, Sonoma County
• 2x 2020, 2021 OR 2022 Inspiration Grenache, Sonoma Valley
• 2x Inspiration Mystery Bottle
  2022 Inspiration Viognier, Canihan Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
  2020 Inspiration Zinfandel, Ray’s Zin, Russian River Valley
  2022 Inspiration Zinfandel, Ray’s Zin, Russian River Valley
  2022 Inspiration Syrah, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma County

Warranty

90 days

Available States

AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Estimated Delivery

Friday, Apr 3 - Monday, Apr 6

Any lab rats?

Nice labels

does it come in a reposado?

Surprised that winos wine lovers need Inspiration.