By Scott Beattie
Montage International has partnered with Jesse Katz—founder of Aperture Cellars and Wine Enthusiast’s 2025 Winemaker of the Year—to launch Montage Estate, an exclusive collection of wines grown and harvested from the estate vineyards at Montage Healdsburg. The vineyard itself was designed by Katz in 2019, before the resort was built, when he identified the most prime volcanic hillside blocks for winemaking among the property’s 258 acres. The result is a collection deeply rooted in Alexander Valley terroir and guided by Katz’s world-class, Bordeaux-influenced style.
The inaugural release, 2023 Aperture, Montage Estate Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, is the flagship of the collection—a powerful yet precise expression of the property’s steepest hillside blocks. Primarily cabernet sauvignon with a touch of malbec, it opens with aromas of crushed black cherry, wildflowers, cedar, and dark fruit, leading to a rich palate of cassis, blackberry, and dark chocolate balanced by savory herbs and graphite. Firm, polished tannins and bright acidity give the wine both structure and lift, with a long, resonant finish. Built for cellaring, it is as much about the future as the present.
Then there is the just-debuted 2025 Aperture, Montage Estate Vineyard, Rosé, crafted from all five of the red Bordeaux varietals, in the tradition of Provençal restraint, but with the depth and generosity of Sonoma fruit. Pale blush in the glass, it delivers aromas of raspberry, strawberry, quince, and rose petal, with a crisp, vibrant palate and a clean, energetic finish—equally at home poolside or at the dinner table.
Rounding out the spring debut, the 2025 Aperture, Montage Estate Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc blends estate-grown sauvignon blanc with a musqué clone, lending floral lift and silky texture alongside the variety’s natural brightness. Expect expressive aromas of guava, lime zest, passionfruit, and citrus blossom, with a palate that balances lively acidity with layered richness and a long, refreshing finish.
Montage Estate wines are available exclusively across Montage and Pendry hotels and resorts.
