A Toast to Walnut Creek

EXPERT VITICULTURE AND CRAFTMANSHIP FIND BALANCE IN SHADOWBROOK WINES

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BY FRAN MILLER

ong before it was known for its walnut trees, Walnut Creek was known for its grapes. A preeminent growing region in the late 1800’s, grapes thrived in the temperate climate and rich soil prior to Prohibition’s decimation of local farmers’ most profitable industry. “I like to say we were Napa before Napa,” says Shadowbrook Winemaster Tim Jochner. “Walnut Creek’s Mediterranean climate is like the Rutherford region and best-suited for Bordeaux varietals. We produce very fruit-forward wines, with plenty of tannin ➤

and structure, but the varietal character of Walnut Creek’s fruit shines through without lingering soil and mineral aftertastes. Our vineyard’s proximity to Mt. Diablo means not only unbelievable views, it also plays a big role in cooling the grapes at night, something vines love,” he says.

Last year Jochner made a major investment toward his goal of producing Napa-quality wines in Walnut Creek, opening an opulent 10,000-square-foot winery and tasting room off of Northgate Road. It’s the the first of its kind in the area. “My family is passionate about winemaking and we wanted to share our love for good wine with the community,” says Jochner’s daughter Carlie Jochner Gazdar, who joined the Shadowbrook team last year as tasting room and brand manager. She hosts and teaches “Vino & Vinyasa” Thursday nights on the winery’s grand lawn, handles corporate events, and by-appointment tastings. “It’s a big deal to be able to taste and enjoy award-winning Zins and Cabs close to home without making the trek to Livermore or Napa.”

The family’s winemaking legacy began over a decade ago when they landscaped the barren hillside of their Shadowbrook Court home with grape vines. A few years later harvesting grapes and making their first batch of wine. “While the wine wasn’t great, it was a wonderful experience,” says Jochner. “My wife Courtney and I decided to learn how to produce wines that could someday rival Napa Valley vintages. It was 2005 when we took our deep dive into the agriculture business.” Since then, Shadowbrook has consistently won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition from grapes grown and harvested on the 12-acres of their Walnut Creek vineyards. The winery specializes in Bordeaux-style red and white wines—the 2011 Jon Rae red blend sells for $58, while the 2013 Zinfandel is $38.

“We grow and produce Chardonnay, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot, Zinfandel and Viognier,” says Jochner. “We bottle Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and red blends. Our goal from the beginning has been to make great wine from grapes grown in Walnut Creek that could stand up to the best in the Napa Valley, and we continue to achieve that goal year after year.” To schedule a visit, go to shadowbrookwinery.com.