San Joaquin Wine Company

San Joaquin Wine Company
21801 Ave. 16
Madera, California
USA 93637
Phone: (559) 673-0066
http://www.sanjoaquinwinecompany.com/

Contact: Steve Schafer
Email: [email protected]

Steve Schafer started San Joaquin Wine Co. in 2005 as the fulfillment of a personal passion. Steve, being in a family farming business along with his father “Corky” and brother Mike, has grown primarily wine and raisin grapes along with almonds for over 30 years in Madera, California. In the business, Steve manages the grape acreage, while Mike manages the almond acreage and dad looks over his sons to keep them out of trouble. They farm 12 wine varieties including: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah and Grenache.

Along with farming, Steve has been heavily involved in the California Assoc. of Wine Grape Growers (CAWG), an organization that supports and advocates for California wine grape issues. Through this involvement, including being past chairman, Steve’s interest in wines increased as he formed relationships with many leaders in the industry. During Steve’s tenure as Chairman of CAWG, one of the concepts he promoted was that growers would never receive the full value of the grapes they produced until they actually produced the wine that was the true end product. He believes that in order to be the best wine grape grower possible, you have to complete the circle and also become a vintner.

n 2006 Steve chose a few select varieties from his local ranches with his winemaker Lee Nesbitt’s approval of the quality of those grapes, and the winemaking process began! Crush had to take place at an outside facility until finally in 2008 all the equipment was ready to crush on site. Since then, all processes have been completed at the winery, including bottling. The first 4 wines were finished and ready to bottle in November 2008, just before the November wine trail event. Moody Press was chosen as the first label, with artwork by Fresnan Dennis Waring. The Moody Press label features “Mercury” relaxing with a glass of fine wine. Thus Moody Press Cellars was also created.

San Joaquin Wine Co mission statement is “To produce the highest quality wines possible at affordable prices from select local grape varieties.” SJWC will continue to move forward in growth and excellence in producing quality wines with the leadership of Steve and Joey, and the highly appreciated expertise of winemaker Lee. All of us at San Joaquin Wine Co and “Moody Press Cellars” are committed to quality and value. We look forward to future vintages and increasing our selections for you to taste!

Winemaker: Lee Nesbitt

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Madera-CA/San-Joaquin-Wine-Company/148400546137?ref=ts

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