Winemaking

Our Winemaking Philosophy

At Beaufort Winery, our winemaking philosophy is centered around striking a balance between tradition and innovation. We embrace the unique challenges and opportunities presented by each vintage, allowing our cool coastal climate and organic practices to guide our process. Our goal is to craft wines that are fresh, bright, and food-friendly, reflecting the distinct character of each harvest.

The Winemaking Process

Handcrafted with Care
All our wines are handcrafted in small batches. This meticulous approach allows us to make precise decisions at each stage of production to bring out the best in every variety. We avoid rigid recipes, instead tailoring our techniques to suit the unique qualities of the fruit each year.

White Wines
Our white wines are handled gently at crush to preserve their delicate aromatics and natural acidity. Fermentation primarily takes place in stainless steel tanks, which helps maintain the freshness and vibrancy of the wine. This method ensures that our whites are crisp and expressive, perfect for pairing with a wide range of foods.

Red Wines
For our red wines, we find the optimal time for skin contact during fermentation to extract the right balance of color, tannin, and flavor. After fermentation, the wines are aged in French or American oak barrels for up to 12 months. This aging process adds complexity and depth, resulting in reds that are both elegant and structured, with good aging potential.

Innovative Practices
We are not afraid to experiment with unconventional techniques when it enhances the quality of our wines. This includes full cluster pressing for spontaneous fermentations, picking grapes earlier for traditional method sparkling wines, and blending unique batches like our Island vermouth. These innovative practices allow us to explore new dimensions of flavor and expression in our wines.

Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of our winemaking. We employ organic and regenerative practices throughout the vineyard and winery to promote biodiversity and soil health. By eschewing synthetic chemicals and focusing on natural solutions, we ensure that our wines are not only delicious but also environmentally responsible.

Experience Our Wines

We invite you to visit Beaufort Winery and taste the difference that our careful, sustainable winemaking makes. Join us for a tasting, tour our vineyard, and discover the passion and dedication behind each bottle of Beaufort wine.