Hello all. The diary portion of my website will be used as a way for me to periodically write about what is going on in the vineyards, winery, or whatever else comes up. I encourage anyone who enjoys the wine to write me an email about your experience with the wine... perhaps tell me where you enjoyed it whether it be a restaurant, wine shop, or thru a friend and I just might post it here for others to see. However, for my first entry into the diary I want to thank the people who have helped me along the way in making Modus possible...

• First and foremost, my beautiful wife Angelica for her inspiration, encouragement, sacrifice, and support.


• Bob Foley, for inspiring me with his amazing wines.


• Matt Fitch, (the most generous guy I have ever met) just for being a good friend, believing in me, drinking great wine with me, and for his help with the 2005 harvest.


• Lucas Henning is a good friend of mine who helped me with the 2005 harvest and fermentations. The success of the 05 season is largely due to his help.


• Larry Bradley is my viticulturist and really understands the style and quality standards that I have for Modus and therefore has been instrumental in the procurement of quality vineyards.


• My partners Steve Vargas, Jim Higa, and Robert Rogel for their support and belief in me.


• Jon Berlin, the winemaker at Viader for passing along his knowledge during the 05 harvest.


• Jim, Barbara, and Sheldon Richards at Paloma Vineyards for their generosity of resources and knowledge.


• Mary Rocca, Bill & Ginger Nemerever, the Prestons, the Greer family, and the Batuello family for providing exceptional fruit.


• Tom Thompson, who donated his grapes, garage, and finances so that I could practice making wine.


• John Gavin, for his hard work in designing this beautiful website. You can see more of his great work on his website www.westeggweb.com

Feb 1, 2006

This evening was supposed to be a slow boring night of waiting tables in Rutherford... that is of course until Don Bryant of Bryant Family Vineyards walked in the front door with Michele Roland, Phillipe Melka, and James Suckling in tow. Talk about star struck. Next, Ray Coursen of Elyse Winery stops in for cheese. Then Niels Venge of Saddleback Cellars sneaks in to have a quick bite with his friend and employer/vintner Mark Carter of Restaurant 301 and Carter Wines. Oh, and Marketta Fourmeaux, winemaker of Chateau Potelle on Mt. Veeder was also dining with her friend. Quite the winemaker night, and very exciting for a young winemaker and wine enthusiast to be surrounded by the elite personalities of the wine world. Phillipe Melka is one of my favorite winemakers and an extremely nice and polite guy. Michelle Roland is Michelle Roland, very jolly, always laughing. I probably heard the word "terroir" mentioned about a thousand times in the four hours they were there. I think it's safe for me to say that Mousier Roland will not be on my payroll anytime soon... maybe some day, but for now I'll have to make do with eves dropping in on the conversations of the big boys.

May 20, 2006

A lot has happened since my last entry. The 2006 growing season is, finally, well underway due to about 20+ consecutive days of rain which delayed budbreak and thus the start of the season. I'm hoping for some good, hot weather to force the vines into pulling up all of that extra moisture and utilize it for evaporative cooling. Eventually this will lead to lower available soil moisture and give us the opportunity to actually manage the irrigation, and in turn the stress level (and hopefully the fruit quality) of the vines.

Other exciting news is that the wines of Modus Operandi have found a new home to be made in and I have to say that it is THE most ideal situation for both me, the winemaker, as well as the wine. Starting with the harvest of 2006 the wine will be made at Napa L' attitude which can be described as a boutique custom crush winery. The equipment is better and the support is better, but best of all I have been hired as the Production Manager of the facility so I'll be right there with the wine constantly... babysitting it, crafting it, and pampering it.

Modus is growing too...

This year we are adding Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Merlot as blending components to the Cabernet Sauvignon. I have found some awesome Petite Sirah which I will produce about 60 cases of in '06. And, what's this, a white? Oh yea, its Organic Sauvignon Blanc from a beautiful vineyard in Rutherford. I can't wait to get started.

October 18, 2006

First let me say that I appologize for how long it has been since my last post. Needless to say, I have been extremely busy.

Now, as I am writing this, I am quite proud to say that I am drinking a glass of my very first white wine... the Sauvignon Blanc I made from the Tommy Bohamma Vineyard in Rutherford. Even though I am always very critical of my wines, I have to say that I enjoy it very much, and it is neat to see how the wine is changing each week as I stir the lees. It's got an amazing nose and the mouthfeel continues to fatten up as the wine is stirred.

Ok, here's the deal. I am so excited about the new vineyards I am getting this year...

Rutherford "Bomb" Vineyard Cab sauv... we call it Bomb because it doesn't really have a name, so my viticulturist and I just call it the Bomb because it is SO GOOD. It is on the hillside of the Rutherford Bench overlooking a sea of famous vineyards.

Boyd Vineyard Merlot... first and foremost, Stan Boyd is an extremely cool guy that I love. He is a winemaker/grower so it sets my mind at ease that he is growing his grapes with the mentality of a winemaker because he also makes wine from the grapes that he sells to me. Its always cool to hear our conversations..."what do you think Jason?", "what do you think I think Stan?" "Yep, lets let em' hang for a bit.""That is correct sir!"

Crocker Star Vineyard Cabernet Franc in St. Helena... its good to have friends who have friends because its most often who you know when it comes to hooking up with the RIGHT people who have the RIGHT fruit in the RIGHT spot. Pam Star is the Cab Franc Queen!

OK, another vineyard that doesn't have a name for itself... yet. This little gem is in Coombsville, is very well cared for and is producing some of the mose velvity juice I have ever tasted. I'm calling it the Coombs d`ville.

Finally, Duarte Vineyard Petite Sirah... PS, I love you.

AND, the best part is that I am living the dream that I had when I moved out here from Texas... I live on the property of the winery where I make Modus so I am always here to TOTALLY PAMPER THE WINE.

Life is good. Come see me.

November 26, 2006

Harvest is over... and in such a blur it happened so fast. I honestly dont remember where two months went. No mistakes were made and nobody got hurt. I have to say, it was nice to be as close to the wine as I was. WOW, while having my wines right under my wing I managed 400 tons for the host wineries clients! 400 tons!

Another chapter of my life has opened as I have accepted my first consulting job where I am the winemaker for another small label (to be announced). I hope to continue attracting many more small, quality driven labels in the future.