Where summer begins—one seedling (and one glass) at a time.
I'm Whitney, the third Turley daughter - you may be used to hearing from my sister Christina, but she's trusted me with the pen this time to reflect on our tiny but timely summer release.
Though the solstice may be a ways off, it already feels like summer has arrived here in Napa - 90-degree days, barely any snow left in the Sierras, and every reason to reach for our rosé. Writing this just after Earth Day, I find myself thinking not just about what's in the glass, but about why we make it the way we do.
Making a pink wine from Zinfandel is one of the oldest ideas in California winemaking - in 1869, a Lodi winery was already pressing free-run Zinfandel juice off the skins. One hundred and fifty-seven years later, we'restill doing essentially the same thing, for the same reason: because when the weather turns warm, it's exactly what you want. In this case, going back to the old ways isn't nostalgia - it's good judgment. And good judgment, applied consistently over time, is the definition of sustainability.
My dad was born on a farm in Tennessee. Long before "organic" was a category, it was just how the family farmed. And when it came time to plant his first vineyard, it was a no-brainer. Over thirty-five years later, we remain one of the longest continuously certified organic properties in Napa Valley, with conservation trusts now protecting land in Paso Robles, St. Helena, and on Howell Mountain in perpetuity.
That philosophy has shaped my own path. I focused on environmental studies in college, which trained me to think about the gap between what's convenient now vs. what holds up. The truth is, what holds up is what's set up for success in the first place: dry-farmed vines with deep roots that have learned to find their own water, and decades of site knowledge that no shortcut can replace. The oldest vineyards we work with aren't just historically interesting - they are the proof of concept - surviving heat waves and drought with fewer inputs, not more.
People sometimes ask why Turley makes "summer wines" at all. The honest answer: because we get thirsty in the heat just like everyone else. And because the same philosophy that guides everything we do - farm honestly, learn from the land, think long-term - applies just as much to an old-vine rosé or a dry-farmed Sauvignon Blanc as it does to a 100-year-old Zin.
This is a small, joyful collection for warm evenings and unhurried company. All farmed with the same philosophy. All made to be shared.
Here's to thinking long-term - and the cold glass at the end of a warm day.
Whitney Turley
Soft light, old vines—Pesenti Vineyard at its best.
Tasting Notes
2026 summer release
A note on our winemaking:
All our Estate-owned vineyards are either certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers or are in the process of receiving certification.
We use all-natural yeasts in the fermentations.
2025 “Turley estate” sauvignon blanc, Napa Valley
Certified organic, dry-farmed vines from our Napa Valley Estate. Classic, bright and lively, with citrus zest, crushed white oyster shell, lemongrass and a hint of nectarine. Refreshing, zippy and dynamic on the palate.
2025 Zinfandel Rosé, California
Crisp, dry rosé with excellent length and character, owing to organically and dry-farmed old vines planted in the1950s. Absolutely gorgeous and luminously colored, with rose petal, peach pit and spiced wild strawberry. Elegant and polished on the palate with a pleasurable finish. There’s a reason Zinfandel is the most successful rosé grape in the world!
2025 “Bechthold vineyard” cinsault, Lodi
Though fresh and light-bodied, this wine is as serious as they come. From the oldest of ungrafted vines, planted 1885, this wine is a piece of history, and we are truly honored to be stewards of this ancient site. Violets, pomegranate, ripe cherries with a paper-thin chocolate coating. Delicate features and excellent bone structure; this is a high cheekbones type of wine if there ever was one. Also delicious with a slight chill.
2024 “Pesenti Vineyard” grenache noir, Paso Robles
Paso is known for Rhône varieties, and this Grenache is every reason why. Certified organic, head-trained & dry-farmed vines from our Pesenti Estate. Myriad rich aromas leap forth from the glass: ripe red and purple fruits, nougat, kirsch liqueur, with signature Pesenti vibrance and minerality. Well-rounded, energetic and a true delight! Try it with a slight chill as temperatures rise.