Wellington Vineyards Old Vines Port, Estate Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, 750ml
Tasting Notes
This is a blend of 8 vintages, 2003-2010, bottled in 2015. The style resembles late bottled vintage port: still very fruity and fresh, with smoothness gained from extended aging in both barrel and bottle.
The Estate Vineyard parcels used for this wine were planted in 1892, 1912, and 1924, a field blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Alicante Bouschet, Tempranillo and a few other varieties.
Fermentation took place in small open-top tanks, with frequent punchdowns for maximum extraction. Pressing and fortification were done at around 10% residual sugar (RS), with a goal of around 7% RS in the finished wine. (Fermentation doesn’t stop immediately upon fortification and the volume of fortifying spirits results in dilution.)
All of the vintages were aged in “neutral” French oak 225 liter barrels, with quarterly racking the first year and semiannual or annual racking thereafter. There was no fining or filtration at any time between harvest and bottling.
Specs
Alcohol: 19%
Residual Sugar: 7.2 g/100 ml
pH: 3.4
Production: 403 cases
What’s Included
3-bottles:
3x Wellington Vineyards Old Vines Port, Estate Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, 750ml
Case:
12x Wellington Vineyards Old Vines Port, Estate Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, 750ml
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $360/case MSRP
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Just opened a bottle of this last weekend at grand daughters’ graduation with an honors math degree.
I’d be all over this if I didn’t still have nearly two cases from the last offer…
I know the Christmas Holidays are upon us, so first I’d like to wish the Casemates Crew and Peter a Merry Christmas and a Healthy & Prosperous New Year!!
If Peter chimes in on this offer, I’d like to know his opinion on the drink-by year? Is it still 2028 or can it go longer? I sill have two small bottles of his Criolla and I’m treating them like gold!
@kaolis@rjquillin True. But I remember on our drive to Tucson we stopped for a bathroom break, saw the rat email from Alice, immediately responded, but it was too late!
As hard as it is to pass on a Wellington offer, I just don’t drink enough port (virtually none) to justify adding this to my overstuffed storage, especially since I already have 3 bottles (and a 500ml Criolla) from an earlier offer.
No Cheer this year…. But a Case of Wellington is certainly an “Adequate Gift”!
And Port is always appreciated. I’ve given away 3 bottles of Grandfather Port, with another wrapped for delivery, and a bottle of Taylor Fladgate this season. And, we had a bottle of Bogle PS Port last night. Love us some ports. I do have a few Wellington Ports stashed, but a little extra to share…
Merry Christmas, Festivus, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, or whatever you celebrate, to all.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
NV Wellington Vineyards Port - $40 = 19.99%
I missed the last offering of this. How’d that happen?
I still have a couple of bottles of the Pedroncelli Chocolate Lovers deal left from 2019, though. I confess to both being fond of port and to having conserved the Pedroncelli. A case of Wellington will ease that situation, me thinks.
Now, if I just had a storm to go with it…
I have a great story which includes a very special port. Many years ago in the early 1990s, I was involved in some matters patent. Our company’s lawyers and our hired legal gun, outside, patent attorney had come down to work with me on finalizing a particularly important patent.
Time was short. We worked through the day and late into the night, until we were all very tired, quite hungry, and desperately dry. We were about a quart low, and in urgent need of both lubrication and sustenance.
It was late. It was a Thursday evening. We were in Covington, GA. Hardly anything was open.
Did I mention that we were desperately dry?
Well, I knew of a restaurant out at the edge of no where, that had recently been built and was being operated by a chef – a chef, mind you, not a cook. It was called Cowboy’s or some such and it was situated on a country road between the towns of Social Circle and Rutledge.
So off we took. It was a dark and stormy night. OK, it wasn’t stormy, but it sure was dark. Arriving at said restaurant at the edge of no where, I was astonished to find that it too was closed.
Now we were even further from sustenance and lubrication, and our desperation was becoming critical. We had gone away – away I say – from civilization well beyond the boonies and approaching nearly the end of the docks.
“Hark!” I exclaimed, “Did you hear that?” My rapidly shriveling companions heard nothing, of course, for that thunderclap was strictly internal. I remembered that there was yet one more restaurant open in this vast wilderness, just a few miles down the road in the once small, dusty berg of Rutledge, GA. And it was run by a chef of the name of Breedlove, no less.
Breedlove, it seems had groan up in those parts, gone off to the big cities and made a name for himself as a chef. His dream was to come back to his exceedingly small town of Rutledge and open a fancy restaurant.
In the interim decades, Rutledge had gone beyond small, past minuscule. and even microscopic, and now was just dusty – and for good measure, precious little of that.
Undaunted, Chef Breedlove came to Rutledge with a bucket of money and converted the drugstore building of bygone days into a restaurant.
The man could cook. No doubt about that.
Soon he had a bustling trade, unbeknownst to me in the luxury car set, who inhabited the country side from Madison to Lake Oconee.
So it was that the four of us arrived in Rutledge, GA, which to my utter amazement was full – full, I say – of cars. There was no place to park. In Rutledge, GA late on a Thursday night in the early 1990s!
I finally found a wide spot on one of the two roads that cross in Rutledge, bumping hard on the city limits, and we walked the several hundred feet back to the restaurant.
Only to be first greeted and then turned away. The restaurant was full. I do mean full. There were people and tables, where one usually finds only dust, detritus, and lingering memories of better times. In Rutledge, GA.
So with heavy heart, empty stomachs, and impeding dehydration/dealcoholization, we were turned away with the admonishment that this soiree was by reservation, approval, and prior arrangement only.
So with grumbling bellies – did I mention, we were becoming critically dehydrated? – we turned and began to retreat from this marvelous inn, this fantastic place with wonderful smells emanating from every orifice, doorway, window, and wee crack in the facade.
Then, LO! A Miracle! A hostess, surely an angel in disguise, said, “Wait! I think I can fit you in. Service has begun, and we have a table of no shows.”
Que the heavenly music, harps, and trumpets…
We were seated and much to my amazement, we were treated to one of the most spectacular meals of my life. Course after course after course. Each course with its unique wine in a fresh glass, of course.
Gadzooks!
And then, and then, and then…the last course, which was a choice of simple, but elegantly presented deserts including cheeses and fruits, along with a whole bottle of port.
WOW! That port. So unexpected. So alien to Rutledge, GA on a Thursday evening late in the early 1990s.
Who knew?
As we finished this delight, we hardly had any words and much loosening of the belts. The restaurant was beginning to empty, and I saw that our bottle of port was only half done. I asked the waitress what was to become of that exalted bottle. She said, “It will probably be discarded as when it was opened they threw away the corks.”
Aghast, I picked up that port, that precious port of renown, and carried it with me as I paid the tab, which I must say was indeed modest for what was offered and for my group. My workmates said, “Surely, you’re not going to carry that port home with you? Are you?”
I said, “Yes, I am. Watch me.”
And so, my story of this storm of desperation and isolation in a dark and foreboding land and the port we found comes to an end.
So what was going on?
Chef Breedlove was having a wine tasting dinner, sponsored or featuring Australian wines by a wine and spirits dealer, by invitation only. Hoitee toitee, for the monied set, which lived (at times) in these hidden places, an hour’s commute from Hotlanta.
I found a cork, by the way. I still have a wee dram of that port after about 30 years later in the very same bottle I brazenly toted from the restaurant, which has succumbed back to the dust from which it briefly arose.
The port? I hold the bottle in front of me as I type its name…Seppelt Para Port, Tawny 111. It would have been bottled about 1990-1991 guessing from the 111 and other data. I have about 20ml left.
I’m late to the current sale and missed the case deal. I learned on Woot to never pass on Wellington wine therefore, I’m for 6+ bringing my total count of NV port to 15. I still have victories, Cabs and a few other oddities in my cellar from @peterw and I’m grateful for every bottle! Merry Christmas!
First thing this morning I got a case: Snooze-Lose…
SWMBO says I shouldn’t (have), so I opened one, and she’s convinced. After an aborted attempt to drive north through the blizzard.
Just opened the first one from the last offer tonight. I used to drink port and sherry many years ago. I have to say this does not remind me at all of the stuff I used to drink. Very fresh tasting without the heavy dark fruit I remember. Very glad I grabbed a case before it sold out!
Wellington Vineyards Old Vines Port, Estate Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, 750ml
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $360/case MSRP
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Tuesday, Jan 17 - Wednesday, Jan 18
NV Wellington Vineyards Port
3 bottles for $49.99 $16.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $159.99 $13.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Awwww. I miss the Wellington days.
This’ll get ya drunk.
Got excited for one second, then remembered I don’t love port
Just opened a bottle of this last weekend at grand daughters’ graduation with an honors math degree.
I’d be all over this if I didn’t still have nearly two cases from the last offer…
Don’t love port, but do love me some wellington. In for three.
@jaybird
In for three! What a Christmas gift from Peter!
Merry Christmas, and God bless us, every one!
I know the Christmas Holidays are upon us, so first I’d like to wish the Casemates Crew and Peter a Merry Christmas and a Healthy & Prosperous New Year!!
If Peter chimes in on this offer, I’d like to know his opinion on the drink-by year? Is it still 2028 or can it go longer? I sill have two small bottles of his Criolla and I’m treating them like gold!
@Boatman72 ,
this will age a lot longer than the Criolla Port will (even without taking bottle size into consideration)
@PeterW
We miss you around these parts!!! Hope you’re doing well and have a wonderful holiday!
Five bottles of this remaining, but this is still tempting.
@klezman very tempting, I almost thought this was a flashback to 2021!
I love port! SE MI let me know if you want some…
previous offer 11/21
@kaolis
Hard to believe it’s been over a year since that last offer
@kaolis @rjquillin True. But I remember on our drive to Tucson we stopped for a bathroom break, saw the rat email from Alice, immediately responded, but it was too late!
Hi everyone! Merry Christmas.
As hard as it is to pass on a Wellington offer, I just don’t drink enough port (virtually none) to justify adding this to my overstuffed storage, especially since I already have 3 bottles (and a 500ml Criolla) from an earlier offer.
@Mark_L same here though I am considering another 3pk so it has a good home.
This is going to be my wife’s favorite Christmas present.
Pumped. Went back and ordered a second case. I’m sure we can find a reason to have one of these monthly.
No Cheer this year…
. But a Case of Wellington is certainly an “Adequate Gift”!
And Port is always appreciated. I’ve given away 3 bottles of Grandfather Port, with another wrapped for delivery, and a bottle of Taylor Fladgate this season. And, we had a bottle of Bogle PS Port last night. Love us some ports. I do have a few Wellington Ports stashed, but a little extra to share…
Merry Christmas, Festivus, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, or whatever you celebrate, to all.
Port is a fav. In for a case. /giphy bedecked-sappy-gelt
Splitting case with a buddy
/giphy /generous-droll-tree
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
NV Wellington Vineyards Port - $40 = 19.99%
+3 here. Merry Christmas, all!
Anyone in Sonoma/Marin wanting to split?
In, but I wish I had them RIGHT NOW.
/giphy flashy-illuminated-drummer
/giphy rejoicing-crisp-list
In for two cases…once it’s gone it’s gone…or not?
I’d be in for a case if I hadn’t just bought a case of the Harvest Moon “port”. In for 3 still!
/giphy exalted-lucky-fire
This will be the first Port I try, in for a case.
/giphy overcast-frosty-vixen
I missed the last offering of this. How’d that happen?
I still have a couple of bottles of the Pedroncelli Chocolate Lovers deal left from 2019, though. I confess to both being fond of port and to having conserved the Pedroncelli. A case of Wellington will ease that situation, me thinks.
Now, if I just had a storm to go with it…
I have a great story which includes a very special port. Many years ago in the early 1990s, I was involved in some matters patent. Our company’s lawyers and our hired legal gun, outside, patent attorney had come down to work with me on finalizing a particularly important patent.
Time was short. We worked through the day and late into the night, until we were all very tired, quite hungry, and desperately dry. We were about a quart low, and in urgent need of both lubrication and sustenance.
It was late. It was a Thursday evening. We were in Covington, GA. Hardly anything was open.
Did I mention that we were desperately dry?
Well, I knew of a restaurant out at the edge of no where, that had recently been built and was being operated by a chef – a chef, mind you, not a cook. It was called Cowboy’s or some such and it was situated on a country road between the towns of Social Circle and Rutledge.
So off we took. It was a dark and stormy night. OK, it wasn’t stormy, but it sure was dark. Arriving at said restaurant at the edge of no where, I was astonished to find that it too was closed.
Now we were even further from sustenance and lubrication, and our desperation was becoming critical. We had gone away – away I say – from civilization well beyond the boonies and approaching nearly the end of the docks.
“Hark!” I exclaimed, “Did you hear that?” My rapidly shriveling companions heard nothing, of course, for that thunderclap was strictly internal. I remembered that there was yet one more restaurant open in this vast wilderness, just a few miles down the road in the once small, dusty berg of Rutledge, GA. And it was run by a chef of the name of Breedlove, no less.
Breedlove, it seems had groan up in those parts, gone off to the big cities and made a name for himself as a chef. His dream was to come back to his exceedingly small town of Rutledge and open a fancy restaurant.
In the interim decades, Rutledge had gone beyond small, past minuscule. and even microscopic, and now was just dusty – and for good measure, precious little of that.
Undaunted, Chef Breedlove came to Rutledge with a bucket of money and converted the drugstore building of bygone days into a restaurant.
The man could cook. No doubt about that.
Soon he had a bustling trade, unbeknownst to me in the luxury car set, who inhabited the country side from Madison to Lake Oconee.
So it was that the four of us arrived in Rutledge, GA, which to my utter amazement was full – full, I say – of cars. There was no place to park. In Rutledge, GA late on a Thursday night in the early 1990s!
I finally found a wide spot on one of the two roads that cross in Rutledge, bumping hard on the city limits, and we walked the several hundred feet back to the restaurant.
Only to be first greeted and then turned away. The restaurant was full. I do mean full. There were people and tables, where one usually finds only dust, detritus, and lingering memories of better times. In Rutledge, GA.
So with heavy heart, empty stomachs, and impeding dehydration/dealcoholization, we were turned away with the admonishment that this soiree was by reservation, approval, and prior arrangement only.
So with grumbling bellies – did I mention, we were becoming critically dehydrated? – we turned and began to retreat from this marvelous inn, this fantastic place with wonderful smells emanating from every orifice, doorway, window, and wee crack in the facade.
Then, LO! A Miracle! A hostess, surely an angel in disguise, said, “Wait! I think I can fit you in. Service has begun, and we have a table of no shows.”
Que the heavenly music, harps, and trumpets…
We were seated and much to my amazement, we were treated to one of the most spectacular meals of my life. Course after course after course. Each course with its unique wine in a fresh glass, of course.
Gadzooks!
And then, and then, and then…the last course, which was a choice of simple, but elegantly presented deserts including cheeses and fruits, along with a whole bottle of port.
WOW! That port. So unexpected. So alien to Rutledge, GA on a Thursday evening late in the early 1990s.
Who knew?
As we finished this delight, we hardly had any words and much loosening of the belts. The restaurant was beginning to empty, and I saw that our bottle of port was only half done. I asked the waitress what was to become of that exalted bottle. She said, “It will probably be discarded as when it was opened they threw away the corks.”
Aghast, I picked up that port, that precious port of renown, and carried it with me as I paid the tab, which I must say was indeed modest for what was offered and for my group. My workmates said, “Surely, you’re not going to carry that port home with you? Are you?”
I said, “Yes, I am. Watch me.”
And so, my story of this storm of desperation and isolation in a dark and foreboding land and the port we found comes to an end.
So what was going on?
Chef Breedlove was having a wine tasting dinner, sponsored or featuring Australian wines by a wine and spirits dealer, by invitation only. Hoitee toitee, for the monied set, which lived (at times) in these hidden places, an hour’s commute from Hotlanta.
I found a cork, by the way. I still have a wee dram of that port after about 30 years later in the very same bottle I brazenly toted from the restaurant, which has succumbed back to the dust from which it briefly arose.
The port? I hold the bottle in front of me as I type its name…Seppelt Para Port, Tawny 111. It would have been bottled about 1990-1991 guessing from the 111 and other data. I have about 20ml left.
@Jackinga Love the story and you probably sold more cases!
I have no place to put this, but it’s cold enough here for a glass of port by the fire.
/giphy tinseled-spirited-relatives
“It was a dark and stormy night…”
There must be an “any storm in the port” joke in there somewhere…
Great write-up!
Love me some Wellington… Reminds me to the early years…
/giphy ample-hopeful-pinecone
In for 6!! Love this stuff.
/giphy gratifying-excellent-festivities
Well, cases are gone but I’m in for a three pack…
/giphy pumpkinspiced-miniature-angel
Merry Christmas my casemates friends and winemakers !
Miss you Mr. Wellington…and your wines. I’ll grab a case to help you clear out some space.
@forlich well I can only grab 6 but it’s the thought that counts right?
I’m late to the current sale and missed the case deal. I learned on Woot to never pass on Wellington wine therefore, I’m for 6+ bringing my total count of NV port to 15. I still have victories, Cabs and a few other oddities in my cellar from @peterw and I’m grateful for every bottle! Merry Christmas!
Your order number is:
/giphy overcast-melodious-snowfall
Darn. Missed the case. Took 6. Any way to convert that to 12 at the case price?…
@tjs11921 Nope
First thing this morning I got a case: Snooze-Lose…
SWMBO says I shouldn’t (have), so I opened one, and she’s convinced. After an aborted attempt to drive north through the blizzard.
Merry Christmas Day!
@Winedavid49 To you too!
/giphy colorful-glowing-krampus
Bought a three-pack so now I can take a bottle from last offer to a party tonight! Happy day!
Just opened the first one from the last offer tonight. I used to drink port and sherry many years ago. I have to say this does not remind me at all of the stuff I used to drink. Very fresh tasting without the heavy dark fruit I remember. Very glad I grabbed a case before it sold out!
Purchased a case if anyone in the Denver-Fort Collins area wants up to 6