Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon
⏳ Drinking Window
2026 - 2030
🍷 Vintage Profile
The 2022 California growing season was shaped by lingering multi-year drought and moderate spring conditions, culminating in an intense, statewide Labor Day heatwave that rapidly accelerated sugar concentration. For Cabernet Sauvignon, this compressed the harvest window and yielded thick-skinned berries with amplified phenolic density, low natural acidity, and opulent dark-fruit profiles well-suited to charred barrel aging. On the market, the vintage is recognized for its immediate richness and high fruit extract rather than extended cellar longevity. At present in 2026, the wine is at its peak of expressive maturity and is best enjoyed through 2029.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked beef brisket, braised short ribs with bourbon glaze, charred ribeye steak with blue cheese butter.
✨ Technical Specifications
Drawing fruit from warm, sun-drenched vineyards across California, this cuvée is formulated to maximize phenolic density and ripe fruit expression. Vinification begins with temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel to extract deep color and supple tannins from the thick-skinned Cabernet fruit. Following primary fermentation and standard wood aging, a significant portion of the blend undergoes a secondary maturation in charred American oak bourbon barrels. This finishing regimen introduces distinctive lactones, smoky char, and caramelized sweetness, merging dense cassis fruit with the distinctive grain and spirit-soaked profile of seasoned whiskey casks.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2013 under the auspices of Fetzer Vineyards (now Bonterra Organic Estates / Viña Concha y Toro USA) in Mendocino County, 1000 Stories was conceived by veteran winemaker Bob Blue as California's first dedicated bourbon barrel-aged wine label. Operating from production facilities in Hopland, the brand sources fruit from notable viticultural regions across California, including Mendocino, Lodi, and Paso Robles, capturing warm Mediterranean microclimates that yield intense phenolic ripeness. Led by head winemaker Sebastian Donoso, winemaking centers on fermenting structured, opulent red varietals in traditional stainless steel and standard oak cooperage before finishing portions of the lots in charred American bourbon casks. This distinct maturation imparts characteristic layers of vanilla, caramel, toasted brioche, and smoky spice. Benchmark releases include the flagship Bourbon Barrel-Aged Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and specialized small-batch releases, creating a bold, hedonistic profile wrapped in Certified B Corporation sustainable production standards.
🍇 Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
🍷 ABV
14.5%