2022 Doren Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Valley
14.1% alcohol by volume | pH 3.72 | titratable acidity 5.9 g/L
2 standard & 2 half barrels produced | 69 cases
Bottled: 3/28/25 | Released: 6/19/25 

Vintage: 2022 in Sonoma Valley was characterized by an early February bud break and ideal warm conditions through early summer, until an extended heat wave beginning in late August reduced yields. The warm autumn weather ensured excellent phenolic ripeness, with grape harvest commencing a week or two earlier than usual. Our yields were down significantly, with smaller berries and clusters, leading to concentrated wine from this harvest.

2022 marks the 13th vintage of Doren Cabernet Sauvignon. We’ve introduced lavender flowers to the label to complement the existing olive and California bay laurel leaves, symbolizing the natural beauty of the vineyards and their scenic surroundings. Sustainability is prioritized with the use of eco-friendly bottles made with 50% less glass, reducing transportation emissions and carbon footprint. 

Vineyard: Doren Cabernet Sauvignon comes from our family’s petite ½-acre vineyard in Kenwood, California, in the heart of Sonoma Valley. Starting with the 2016 vintage, Cabernet grapes are also sourced from the organically farmed Sobre Vista Vineyard in Glen Ellen, located nearby. Both vineyards are managed with sustainable and organic practices, ensuring the soil health and environmental preservation. We remain committed to keeping our vineyards free from chemicals and toxic substances, fostering a deep respect for the land.  

Winemaking: The grapes were hand-harvested on September 21st, starting in the cool darkness before dawn, at approximately 22.1 brix, and immediately transported to the urban winery in San Francisco. Upon arrival, they were hand-sorted, de-stemmed, and underwent an eight-day cold soak with twice-daily punchdowns. Fermentation began naturally and progressed slowly over an additional 7 days, for a total maceration of 15 days. Towards the end of primary fermentation, the free-run wine was gravity-drained, and the berries lightly pressed into four premium French oak barrels, including 16% new oak, and another 33% new oak was introduced in its last 9 months of elevage. The wine matured in barrel for 29 months before being racked into stainless steel tank, bottled unfined and unfiltered on March 28, 2025. After 3 months of bottle aging, the wine is to be released on June 19, 2025. This vegan-friendly wine involves no animal products in its production.  

Tasting Notes: 2022 Doren Cabernet Sauvignon showcases a vibrant garnet hue and jumps out of the glass with aromas of ripe cherries and chocolate, backed by subtle hints of cedar, spice and forest. The wine is fresh and focused on the palate, driven by bright acidity and more ripe fruit flavors of cherries, currants, and red plums. A silky texture complements the wine's developed tannins, which lead to a long finish with notes of milk chocolate.  

Enjoy this wine upon release, and it will continue to evolve gracefully through 2040. 
For best results, serve this wine at 60–65°F (15–18°C) and decant for 30 minutes prior to consumption to allow it to fully express its complexity.  

Food pairing: Grilled ribeye steak with peppercorn sauce, herb-crusted lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto, aged cheddar or gouda cheeses.