Lodi Winegrape Commission

Kautz & Kramer represents a culmination of a lifetime of passion and dedication.  John Kautz, the son of hardworking German immigrants grew up on his family farm in Lodi.  His parents moved to the U.S. in search of the “American dream” and purchased a small parcel of land.  Gail Kramer, the daughter of a lawyer and English professor, was born in California.  John & Gail were married in 1958.  Together, they grew their farming operation and helped pioneer premium wine grapes in Lodi.  The Sheldon Ranch was purchased in the 1980s to grown grapes.  Prior that the ranch was well-known for growing hops.  This ranch is slightly higher in elevation and features the Cosumnes River and Deer Creek that run through it.  The soils consist of bedrock from the Sierra Nevada mountain range.  Hand-selected by Winemaker Steve Millier, the grapes were harvested at night and brought to the winery for gentle crushing in small fermenters, then pressed after 10 days of primary fermentation.  Aged for 15 months in small French and American barrels, this wine has bright aromas of black cherries and fresh currants that are followed by flavors of vanilla bean, nutmeg, fig and a hint of black licorice.  The middle is supple and rich with a blackberry-raspberry finish that is full and lingering.