Inceptum—A Community Partnership
In Collaboration with the Sonoma Valley High Viticulture Program
Getting Started
Hi, we’re Johannes and Jenny, and Josefine, our 4-year-old boss and Joliene, our almost 2-year old Assistant Winemaker.
In the summer of 2018, we were presented with a fantastic opportunity to make Sauvignon Blanc in partnership with the Sonoma Valley High Viticulture Program. Throughout the year, we guide the students through the grapevine lifecycle, from pruning to suckering, shoot positioning, mowing, leaf pulling and, finally, harvest. They learn alongside us by participating in the hands-on care and responsibilities for the quarter-acre on-campus Sauvignon Blanc vineyard. Of course, they cannot participate in making (nor tasting) the wine *yet, and it’s inspiring to see them taking an interest in in the industry that surrounds them. Johannes then assumes the winemaking role to carry the fruit through bottling.
We had always wanted to make some wine here in California and this opportunity was hard to pass up! It has been so fun and rewarding to embark on this project within the community of Sonoma.
We harvested the first vintage of Inceptum Wines Sauvignon Blanc in September 2018 and our current release is the 2022. We hope you’ll come along on the journey with us!
Environmentally Minded
The vineyard at Sonoma Valley High School is farmed organically to the extent of our resources and abilities, though not certified. We continue to see the need to respect the land’s integrity for future generations.
The philosophy of minimalist winemaking continues in the cellar. Fermented with native yeast and minimal intervention, Inceptum Sauvignon Blanc is a true interpretation and expression of the SVHS vineyard within the heart of Sonoma Valley.
About Us
We both come from years working in the wine industry in Sonoma as well as abroad. Johannes hails from the Mosel Valley in Germany where he grew up on small family winery. We met when we were both hired as harvest interns at Schug Winery in 2009 and married four years later, after working in and traveling to several different winemaking regions throughout the world together, dreaming and planning about making our own wines.
Current Release
2022 Inceptum Sauvignon Blanc
$20/bottle | $240/case