Perhaps you’ve sipped and savored wines from award-winning Inman Family Wines. A couple of weeks ago was my very first time trying them, having been asked to join a virtual learning and tasting experience with none other than warm and inviting Kathleen Inman, owner, winemaker, and general manager of both Inman Family Wines and Olivet Grange Vineyard located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. What I learned and tasted was enough for me to plan a visit as soon as possible and experience more of Kathleen’s hospitality.
Photo Credit: Sonoma County Tourism
Kathleen was born and raised in Napa Valley and discovered her love of farming with as she helped tend the family’s gardens. Subsequently, she developed a passion for wine after taking a class from a wine merchant while studying at University of California in Santa Barbara. After college, Kathleen started a career as a trainee chartered accountant at a large international firm in England. After receiving an MBA from University of Bradford, she became an executive search consultant at UK’s largest search firm.
Inman returned to California in 1998 and in 2000, she founded Inman Family Wines with her first plantings on the property that was part of a 170 acre ranch dating from 1883. Since that time, she farms 10.5 acres of organic grapes of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris (only 4 blocks of Pinot Gris are planted on the edges of the vineyard) on soils of sand, loam, and gravel. Produced are Pinot Noir, an intentional direct-to-press Rosé of Pinot Noir called Endless Crush®, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Extra Brut Luxe Cuvée, Brut Rosé, and a Blanc de Noir. For more about Kathleen Inman, click HERE.
In 2007, a winery was built to replace the barn that was serving that purpose. The winery is comprised almost completely of recycled materials such as the wood from the original barn. The graywater from the winery is recycled and an electric vehicle charging station, the first “privately owned, publicly available station in the North Bay,” was built. The EV station is connected to the winery’s solar array.
“Through the vineyard and winery, Inman has been able to meld her passion for Pinot Noir and what she calls her “eco-ethics”–sensitive farming, natural winemaking and environmentally responsible business practices. She works fervently to grow grapes and to make wines as naturally as possible to ensure they embody not only the pure personality of the grapes from which they’re made, but also the singular character of the place where they’re grown, while at the same time making the smallest impact possible on the land, water, and air. Inman farms without synthetic chemicals and is proud that her property has been certified sustainable by Sonoma County since 2016.” She was “the first new California luxury brand to launch using 100% Stelvin® closures in 2002 and was a pioneer in the revival of California rosé, producing her best-selling Endless Crush® rosé since 2004, long before they became a staple in California wineries.” Inman Family Wines
Photo Credit: Inman Family Wines
Inman’s goals are to produce wines that lean into lower alcohol levels, offer high acidity, and pair well with food. The three beauties that were sent as samples ticked all of Kathleen’s boxes – each wine was a tad over 12% alcohol, boasted vibrant acidity, and complemented foods I love. The wines have limited distribution, but are easily accessible by contacting the winery. Curious?
A fresh wine to sip on its own or, in my case, with grilled salmon, is 2023 Pinot Gris ($40). With a nod to the iconic Pinot Gris from Alsace, I found peaches, pears, florals and freshly cut grass notes on the nose. Racy acidity and flavors of herbs, spice, mint, white pepper, citrus and lime zest were exceptional. Of note was the intense minerality on both nose and palate. Only 142 cases are produced.
A delicious surprise was 2024 Whole Buncha Love ($43), a round, crisp blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Gris. Kathleen shared that it’s her new favorite wine and that “it was fun to experiment!” Refreshing from beginning to end, I found herbs, juicy orchard fruit, stone fruit, touch of red berries, and florals on the nose and palate. Of course, minerality was pervasive as was Kathleen’s signature element of high acidity. For a memorable pairing, I savored a couple of glasses with roast chicken and vegetable risotto. 132 cases were produced of this noteworthy blend.
2024 Endless Crush® Rosé ($40) from Olivet Grange Vineyard Estate reminds Kathleen of the wines she “crushed on” in France. Destemmed Pinot Noir spent 2 hours on on its skin. (Kathleen chuckled as she shared that she calls this her “two taco rosé” because it took 2 hours to run to the restaurant and pick up two tacos for take-out! And voila! When she returned, the Pinot Noir was ready for the next phase of production.) In the glass, I found lovely aromas of honeysuckle, crushed strawberries, orange peel, and juicy melon. On the dry palate, notes of red grapefruit, more melon, strawberries and oranges were lifted with snappy acidity and the slightest hint of tannins. The lingering finish was a delight with goat cheeses and slices of fresh baguette. 451 cases were produced.
At Inman Family Wines, wine tastings are held Thursdays through Mondays from 11am-4pm on the patio or inside the tasting room. Tasting experiences such as a walking tour of the vineyard and gardens are available, too. Just click HERE for more.
Kathleen Inman remarked that she wants Inman Family Wines to exude a “casual and friendly vibe while offering high end wines.” If our tasting was any indication, that goal has been met, too.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
