Winemaker Letter
Spring is a season of light, renewal, and emergence in the vineyard, and the 2023 vintage captures that spirit beautifully. Warmer and more generous than recent years, this was a vintage defined by clarity of fruit and ease of expression, while still preserving the balance and longevity that defines Domaine Serene.
The 2023 harvest also marked my first at Domaine Serene. I arrived onsite just one week before we began picking grapes, tasked with leading a harvest team and stewarding a world-renowned production. So many things were new to me, including new vineyards, new colleagues, a new facility, a new climate, a new community, and a new brand. Yet, I found immediate familiarity and comfort in the smells of fermentation.
Having guided warm, bountiful vintages in Sonoma County, California, I relied on the fundamentals of winemaking to allow this sun-drenched vintage to shine. Thoughtful picking decisions and measured extraction preserved freshness while encouraging fresh aromas of Pinot perfume and mouth-coating tannin.
Through élevage, I studied the personalities of each vineyard, shaping single vineyards and cuvées that feel both expressive and true to site. This Grand Cru allocation is anchored in a single idea: aspect. In the vineyard, aspect refers to slope orientation and exposure, and in 2023 it played a defining role in shaping this collection. With long, sun-filled days and a steady growing season, we were able to explore how differing slopes across our estates produce distinct yet harmonious expressions in the glass.
As spring gatherings return, I am excited for these wines to find their way to your table. It is an honor to share my inaugural vintage with you and usher in the next chapter of Domaine Serene.
Warmly,
Carl Formaker
Domaine Serene Winemaker
