Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
For many years you have seen Dwyane Wade play the game he loves at the highest levels of achievement. Now, Dwyane is able to share with you something personal and profound, his inaugural release from Wade Cellars.
Throughout his playing career and his life off the court, Wade has blazed his own path. In becoming one of the most celebrated athletes in the world, Wade has been exposed to the ultimate in living well, as well as some of the world’s greatest personalities. Dwyane’s love of the great wines of Napa Valley was fueled by the food and wine he enjoyed with his teammates Chris Bosh and Lebron James. Their friendship and mutual love of great wine sparked a passion in Dwyane. Two years ago, he decided to follow his heart and make a great wine of his own.
With the wine dream unshakably in his mind, he looked to his dear friend Jayson Pahlmeyer for guidance. For over 30 years Jayson Pahlmeyer has consistently produced iconic Napa Valley wines of power, finesse, and distinction. Jayson has been a leader in the world of fine wine and shares Wade’s bold and irrepressible spirit. Jayson invited Dwyane to witness harvest in the Napa Valley in 2014. Harvest is a very magical time in the Valley and sparked Dwayne's dream of Wade Cellars. The combination of that 2014 harvest trip with Jayson’s wine business knowledge and Dwyane’s enthusiasm and joie de vivre Wade Cellars was born.
The vineyards just inland from the Sacramento River Delta, along the deep banks of the Sacramento River, comprise the Clarksburg AVA. The River Delta channels in cold air and fog from the Pacific Ocean creating a cooling effect in this area. Warm summer days quickly change to chilly evenings and make a great environment for grape growing. While a range of grape varieties grow here, Chenin blanc stands out the most, distinguishing itself in the appellation.
The Clarksburg Wine Growers and Vintners Association, made up of nearly 50 grower members and over a dozen wineries, has been working since the late 1980s to promote the high quality wine of its region.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.