Fidelitas Wines

The Truth About Limited Release Wines

Often you hear us, and your other favorite wineries, spouting the term “limited release” when debuting a new wine. It’s a common term in this industry where every wine produced is unique. That vintage, those vineyards, the barrels used, and the hard work that goes into each bottle made makes each wine different from one another. That’s what makes collecting wine so fun right? There is quite literally a “limited” number of bottles made of every single wine out there. What that means though, can look different for different wineries.

In larger growing regions such as Napa Valley, for example, it is not uncommon for wineries to make 20,000-30,000 cases of wine annually. A 1,000 case production Cabernet for them would certainly be considered “limited”. Believe it or not, those wineries are still considered “small” according to industry standards. For comparison, Fidelitas produces about 6,000 total cases annually which just kicks us up from “very small” to “small” guys in this big industry.

The wines that we release range between as few as 50 cases, like the very special release of Quintessence Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, to the high end of the spectrum which is about 575 cases of a single wine like our mainstay, Optu Red Mountain.

The point I’m getting to is this: when we say “limited release” we really mean it.  

Because of Charlie’s long-standing relationship with growers on Red Mountain we are able to get our hands on some of the most exclusive fruit available. Sometimes that means we only get a couple tons from a certain vineyard block. One example of this is the release of our single varietal wines from Ciel du Cheval Vineyard which will be available to members next month. In the 2014 vintage we produced five wines from Ciel du Cheval Vineyard:

2014 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – 386 cases

2014 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Merlot – 98 cases

2014 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Petit Verdot – 72 cases

2014 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Cabernet Franc – 94 cases (sold out prior to the release)

2014 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine – 190 cases (sold out prior to the release)

Now let’s factor in the amount needed to fulfill Wine Club Member allocations plus Club Member pre-orders...there’s generally a dangerously low amount left over to sell in our tasting rooms or online. This is a good thing, right? Yes. However, we desperately want you to be able to enjoy the wines from Fidelitas that you are most interested in. The only way to guarantee that you’ll get your hands on the most “limited” wines of Fidelitas is by becoming a member of the Fidelitas Wine Club and putting your name on the pre-order or wait lists.

As Fidelitas grows, our wines are becoming more “limited” than ever. Will you be first in line for the most exclusive Fidelitas wines yet? 

The Return of Ciel du Cheval

It’s the best time of year here at Fidelitas because our Ciel du Cheval wines find their way back into the lineup! Who doesn’t love big bold reds from 42-year-old vines? In just a couple of weeks we will be releasing some of my favorites just in time for the holidays. These wines will be available to the Wine Club starting Friday, November 3rd. Not in the Club? Join online today, or email us to get in on these limited release wines before they are gone!

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2014 Ciel du Cheval Cabernet Sauvignon - 94 points, The Wine Advocate

This Cabernet offers aromas of fig, blackberry, and quince, dried tobacco, and a touch of cedar. The perfect Cabernet from Red Mountain!

(in both FLT and Optu allocations)

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2014 Ciel du Cheval Cabernet Franc - SOLD OUT

One of our most limited wines of the year. The Cabernet Franc is a deep ruby tone, nearly opaque, showing aromas of blueberry, tart cherry, green bell peppers, and a touch of caramel. 

(in FLT allocation)

*Email us to put you on the wait-list

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2014 Ciel du Cheval Red Wine - SOLD OUT

Last year, this was our Merlot-based blend but we decided to switch it up! This year it's Cabernet-based with aromas of cherry and strawberry with tobacco and black pepper. 

(in Optu allocation)

*Email us to put you on the wait-list

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2014 Ciel du Cheval Merlot

My favorite Merlot of the year that is perfect for any holiday dish or dinner party. It is showcasing aromas of plums, raspberry, brown sugar, and baking spices.

(available for add-on purchases)

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2014 Ciel du Cheval Petit Verdot

For those who love unique, intense wines! This wine provides black fruit aromas with tones of red currant, figs, and dried herbs.

(available for add-on purchases)

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Helping our Neighbors...Still

I woke up a few weeks back, read the headlines, and determined that it would be a better to stay in bed with my kids all day.  The news was just too horrible, with too many lives impacted once again.  I drug on like this for a day or two until my mom sent me a text: “we cannot control what happens in the world, but we can control our response”.  She reminded me, there is nothing we could have done in recent months to prevent these events in the news, but we can send aid and make a conscious decision to help those in need.

Then, this week, the headlines hit much closer to home.  The wildfires in Northern California are impacting members of our greater wine community.  Beyond the stately wineries, there are the people that run our POS system and website, former colleagues working as winemakers and cellar hands, those who tend the vines, and those who have the exact same jobs as me and my team: selling the wines.  A fire in 2017 for a winery can mean years and years of damage.  Inventory lost today means nothing to sell for years to come, and all of those lives, and the lives of their families, are impacted for that span of time.

And so this October, I ask that we all give, because that is all that we can control at this point in time.  We are still focusing on our Product Spotlight in the first part of October, where 10% of our website and tasting room proceeds will go to Hurricane Relief funds via Global Giving.  In addition, Charlie and I feel passionate about generating additional funds that can go to those affected by the fires in Northern California.

October 20 – 22: we are joining forces with other wineries in the Red Mountain AVA to benefit relief efforts in Napa and Sonoma.  Fidelitas will be donating a portion of our proceeds from the entire weekend, including the Harvest Party on Red Mountain.  In addition, we ask that our guests consider making a cash donation, or contributing gift cards to stores such as Target and Home Depot that can distributed to families in Northern California so they can purchase the essentials they need to start rebuilding.

I have been fortunate enough to visit both Napa and Sonoma several times over the years, including a trip when I was very young, and again when I was just 21.  Every visit, whether as a newbie, or as an industry member, I have been warmly welcomed and treated wonderfully.  It truly is a special place.

Helping our Neighbors

Each month, Fidelitas offers a Product Spotlight, where we feature a certain wine at a special price. Recent events, however, have impacted our friends and members near and far, and have us wanting to shine that Spotlight a little broader this month.

Now through October 15, 10% of all website and tasting room sales will be donated to GlobalGiving. Our donation is to be shared between multiple relief efforts at the time of giving.

GlobalGiving is the largest global crowdfunding community connecting nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country. GlobalGiving connects nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country around the world. We help local nonprofits access the funding, tools, training, and support they need to become more effective.