What happens when an amazing, high-end California winemaker wants to have some fun?  He starts a new label to produce an affordable, easy to drink, and delicious wine.  One of those is Sidebar Sauvignon Blanc by Sidebar Cellars.  White wine drinkers will love this wine for it’s minerality and clean finish, and red wine drinkers should give it a try for something easy to drink and light.

Sidebar Cellars is the second label of famed wine maker David Ramey and Ramey Wine Cellars.  He has been in the wine business since the early 1980s and worked at Matanzas Creek, Chalk Hill, Dominus Estate, and most recently, Rudd Estate.  He was nominated as Winemaker of the Year 2016 by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

In contrast to the more expensive Ramey label, the Sidebar wines are younger, brighter, and more accessible by price and taste.   This is reflected in the name “sidebar,” which means “the bar adjacent to the main bar” or “the sidelight of a main story.”  Don’t let this fool you – the Sidebar Cellar wines are delicious and stand on their own as an everyday wine and for any occasion.

We are so lucky in Galveston to have a direct connection to David Ramey wines–the Central US Sales Manager lives here and is a friend to us personally and to The Wine Next Door.   We have tasted many amazing Ramey wines, and now carry 4 Ramey (Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Claret) and 2 Sidebars (Sauvignon Blanc and Rhoneish).

Sidebar was designed to be younger and more fun!  The first vintage of Sidebar Cellars, including the 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, was produced in 2015.  The winery is located in Healdsburg, California – the heart of Sonoma Wine Country.

The Wine:  Sidebar High Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014.  Sidebar’s signature white wine is its Sauvignon Blanc.   This is not an overly sweet or over-the-top California sauvignon blanc.  Instead, Sidebar is dry and natural, with clean minerality.  It’s easy to drink and has subtle tangy citrus and melon flavors.  Some claim to taste a little bit of kiwi and peach.

 Sidebar High Valley

David and Carla Ramey, Owners

Sidebar’s Sauvignon Blanc vineyard in High Valley