HERON WINES, INC.
HERON WINES, INC.
 Our Wines- Distinctive, delicious wines from the best places on Earth »
 Now available- 2008 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County - 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley - 2009 Pinot Noir, California »
 Laely and Stephan- Heron Vineyard - St Chinian, France »
1728 Union St. Ste 307, San Francisco
CA 94123
P: (415) 563-6931 F: (415) 563-4255
E-mail: donna@heronwines.com
Web: www.heronwines.com
Founded 1994
Bonded Premises: CA-15140
Personnel: Winemkr. & Owner,
Laely Heron: Ops., Theresa Burkley
Admin., Donna Naughton
(donna@heronwines.com)
Annual Case Prod.: 50,000 - 499,999
Products: table wine
Top Varietals: Chardonnay, Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
About Us
our approach
Heron Wines believes that delicious wines should be an unalienable right. Yes, an overstatement, but we really think that high-quality, approachable wine should not come at a huge price. For 15 years, we have heard from wine lovers from around the globe that we consistently exceed their expectations for quality, style, and balance.
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geography & appellation
Great wines may come from anywhere, limited only by our imagination. Heron's original wine was a groundbreaking Merlot from St. Chinian in the Southwest of France. Today we make wine in California, France and Spain; and our focus is on the purity of fruit. We go where the best grapes are grown in order to maximize the natural characteristics of the varietal. While most of our wines could carry more specific appellations, we choose to focus less on advertising the locations and more on what we do (or don't do) with them. The benefit is wines that are more consistent, balanced and complex.
vineyards
We don't own any vineyards. This allows us to spend our money where it matters (on exceptional grapes and barrels, not mortgages.) |
By establishing both short and long-term contracts with our growers, we have the benefits of consistency and flexibility. We are picky - not only about the vineyard locations, but also that the vineyards are managed by people as passionate about quality as we are. Whenever possible, we work with vineyards that are certified or managed organically, biodynamically, or at the least, sustainably. Most of our vineyards are dry-farmed, and we generally prefer old-vine, higher elevation, marine-influenced vineyards with moderate climates, allowing for slower maturation of intensely flavorful grapes.
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winemaking
We firmly believe in the "less is more" philosophy; a winemaker's job is to allow the best qualities of the fruit to shine through. Our grapes are picked at peak intensity then treated gently throughout the winemaking process. This often means hand-harvesting, hand-sorting, and extended maceration for the reds. We are one of the few wineries in California not using malolactic fermentation on Chardonnay because we prefer the natural bright acidity of the grape. We use French oak barrels exclusively for all of our wines including some we make at a cooperage using sustainably harvested old-growth oak from France's Tronçais Forest. Our goal is to make wines of character and soul rather than sameness, not according to a formula or projected return on investment. In the end, we believe that smooth elegance and lush complexity are what wine lovers appreciate most.
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label design
People often ask about our award-winning label design. It is an abstract version of a creature holding an amphora - our version of Bacchus, the Greek God of Wine. This art is inspired by Henri Matisse's paper cut-out series and a painting in Laely's living room by renowned Danish artist, Tenka Gammelgaard.
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inspiration
Laely Heron's unconventional upbringing in Africa, Asia, Europe and the US may explain the wanderlust that has led to her passion for international winemaking. Her family may not have been wine drinkers, but they instilled within her an early thirst for life lived to the last drop. Her free-spirited mother and mining engineer father took the family on an odyssey from mining town to mining town around the world. By the time Laely entered high school back in the US, she had a taste for different cultures, languages and street food from Algiers to Cape Town and from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.
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| Laely's desire to travel and her natural curiosity about what the world has to offer led her to another series of adventures including studying winemaking in Bordeaux, opening a restaurant and importing wine into Denmark, and studying to become a Master of Wine. In this entrepreneurial spirit, Laely started Heron Wines in 1994, with little more than a credit card, a "business plan" sketched out on a napkin and the idea of making great wine at a great price. To this day, Heron makes distinctive, delicious wines from the best places on earth |
Our Manifesto
our approach
Heron Wines believes that delicious wines should be an unalienable right. Yes, an overstatement, but we really think that high-quality, approachable wine should not come at a huge price. For 15 years, we have heard from wine lovers from around the globe that we consistently exceed their expectations for quality, style, and balance.
|
a
|
geography & appellation
Great wines may come from anywhere, limited only by our imagination. Heron's original wine was a groundbreaking Merlot from St. Chinian in the Southwest of France. Today we make wine in California, France and Spain; and our focus is on the purity of fruit. We go where the best grapes are grown in order to maximize the natural characteristics of the varietal. While most of our wines could carry more specific appellations, we choose to focus less on advertising the locations and more on what we do (or don't do) with them. The benefit is wines that are more consistent, balanced and complex.
vineyards
We don't own any vineyards. This allows us to spend our money where it matters (on exceptional grapes and barrels, not mortgages.) By establishing both short and long-term contracts with our growers, we have the benefits of consistency and flexibility. |
We are picky - not only about the vineyard locations, but also that the vineyards are managed by people as passionate about quality as we are. Whenever possible, we work with vineyards that are certified or managed organically, biodynamically, or at the least, sustainably. Most of our vineyards are dry-farmed, and we generally prefer old-vine, higher elevation, marine-influenced vineyards with moderate climates, allowing for slower maturation of intensely flavorful grapes.
|
a
|
winemaking
We firmly believe in the "less is more" philosophy; a winemaker's job is to allow the best qualities of the fruit to shine through. Our grapes are picked at peak intensity then treated gently throughout the winemaking process. This often means hand-harvesting, hand-sorting, and extended maceration for the reds. We are one of the few wineries in California not using malolactic fermentation on Chardonnay because we prefer the natural bright acidity of the grape. We use French oak barrels exclusively for all of our wines including some we make at a cooperage using sustainably harvested old-growth oak from France's Tronçais Forest. Our goal is to make wines of character and soul rather than sameness, not according to a formula or projected return on investment. In the end, we believe that smooth elegance and lush complexity are what wine lovers appreciate most.
|
label design
People often ask about our award-winning label design. It is an abstract version of a creature holding an amphora - our version of Bacchus, the Greek God of Wine. This art is inspired by Henri Matisse's paper cut-out series and a painting in Laely's living room by renowned Danish artist, Tenka Gammelgaard.
|
a
|
inspiration
Laely Heron's unconventional upbringing in Africa, Asia, Europe and the US may explain the wanderlust that has led to her passion for international winemaking. Her family may not have been wine drinkers, but they instilled within her an early thirst for life lived to the last drop. Her free-spirited mother and mining engineer father took the family on an odyssey from mining town to mining town around the world. By the time Laely entered high school back in the US, she had a taste for different cultures, languages and street food from Algiers to Cape Town and from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.
|
| Laely's desire to travel and her natural curiosity about what the world has to offer led her to another series of adventures including studying winemaking in Bordeaux, opening a restaurant and importing wine into Denmark, and studying to become a Master of Wine. In this entrepreneurial spirit, Laely started Heron Wines in 1994, with little more than a credit card, a "business plan" sketched out on a napkin and the idea of making great wine at a great price. To this day, Heron makes distinctive, delicious wines from the best places on earth. |
Our Wines
Chardonnay, California
Fruit from Russian River, Carneros and Santa Maria are blended in this California Chardonnay. By fermenting half the wine in stainless steel and half the wine in French oak and choosing against Malolactic fermentation, we end up with a balanced and elegant wine that allows the Chardonnay character to truly shine through.
- Double Gold Medal & Best of Class Winner: 2010 California State Fair Wine Competition
- Silver Medal Winner: 2010 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- "Rich, with a core of earthy grapefruit and citrus flavors... complex." Wine Spectator, 2009
More Info
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Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Crisp, clean, vibrant citrus notes with layers of passion fruit and minerality lead to a long, refreshing finish. This unoaked Sauvignon Blanc is handcrafted from sustainably grown Napa Valley grapes.
- New Wine Released: May 2010
More Info • Technical Sheet • Shelf Talker • Label
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Pinot Noir, California
This handcrafted Pinot Noir is an elegant composition of sustainably farmed grapes from several of California's cool, marine influenced micro-climates. Ripe red berry and black cherry fruit balance its delicate spiciness.
- Gold Medal Winner: 2010 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- New Vintage Released: May 2010
More Info
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Pinot Noir, Sonoma County
Three vineyards in prime locations in the Sonoma County appellation with cool-climates and sandy loam soils contribute to conditions ideal for growing Pinot Noir. We work with growers who are as passionate about quality as we are. Whenever possible our vineyards are organically and or sustainably grown.
- Gold Medal Winner: 2010 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- Silver Medal Winner: 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
- "...offers very pretty, polished Pinot Noir character. Feels rich and silky in the mouth, with flavors of
raspberries, cherries, cola and spices." The Wine Enthusiast, 2010
More Info
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Merlot, Vin de Pays d'Oc
This Merlot has been used by the Institute of Enology in Montpellier as a teaching benchmark wine, illustrating what is possible to achieve with careful vineyard management and reduced yields. The nose features plums and cherries. The palate is all currants, mocha and cassis. It is harmonious, balanced and delicious.
- Silver Medal Winner: 2008 SF International Wine Competition
More Info
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Merlot, California
The key to this Merlot is balance. To get there, ripe fruit with the right acidity was fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and new and used French barrels. Look for red and black cherries, dark plum, a touch of vanilla and well-integrated soft tannins.
- Gold Medal Winner: 2008 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
- "The best thing about this pleasant, everyday Merlot is it is easy to drink and to savor the cherry,
vanilla and spice flavors." The Wine Enthusiast, May 2008
More Info
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Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Our goal is to produce a wine that has all the complexities and intense flavors of a big Cabernet but is better in weight and style for easy drinking and exceptional pairing with food. The result is a deep, lush and highly aromatic wine that is rich with red currants, ripe black cherries and cassis, and balanced by beautiful tones of vanilla from French oak.
- Silver Medal Winner: 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
- Silver Medal Winner: 2005 Cabernet, 2008 Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition
- "...medium bodied and tannic-driven with flavors of cooked figs and a persistent finish." Sante
Selections, 2009
More Info
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Sexto, Terra Alta
Sexto itself is a blend of six different grapes, Grenache, Carignan, Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the ancient grape Lledoner Pelut Noir. In fact, it was the addition of that sixth varietal (a cousin to Grenache) that made all the difference for me. I wanted to make a wine that is at the same time original, traditional, and has a modern twist.
- Silver Medal Winner: 2009 Los Angeles International Wine Competition
- "500 Great Values for $20 and Under. 87 Points." Wine Spectator, 2009
- "Searing and nervy with ripe plum and blackberry fruit; modern in style with stunning balance.
91 points." Blue Reviews/Patterson's Beverage Journal, 2008
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