Say When’s Winemakers Offer a Peek Behind Their Process
“There is a great sense of camaraderie in our community as we are all in this unique set of circumstances together.”
How often do you think about what goes into the glass of wine you’re drinking? The entire process — from picking to packaging — is a labor of love, and this is especially true for Rachel and Michel DeAscentiis, the winemakers behind California-made label Say When.
The husband and wife team is based in Los Angeles, but regularly makes the trek to the Central Coast where they get hands-on with every step it takes to create their sustainably-made wines. What started with a single experimental barrel of Pinot Noir back in 2013 has organically grown and now Say When stays stocked at a slew of shops, restaurants, and wine bars that specialize in natural/low-intervention varieties, with an ever-growing list of offerings that occasionally includes some experimental creations (like a Carbonic Grenache Blanc or their upcoming Piquette) — a practice that makes the label so unique and keeps the couple excited about the winemaking process.
About that process: Despite the frenetic energy that surrounds “crush season” (when grapes are harvested), winemaking is year-long job and every step is just as impactful as the next. From pruning to stomping (it’s actually called foot treading in the business — and it’s done for a reason) to designing labels, Rachel and Michel proudly put their hearts into every bottle, and they’ve shared some of those behind-the-scenes moments with Creative Career Club. You might never shop for wine the same way again.
May 7, 2021
By Ashley Tibbits