Las Jaras 'Slipper Sippers' Nouveau, Mendocino County, California

There’s a rush of energy in every pour of the 2025 Las Jaras Slipper Sippers Nouveau, a vibrant, playful red that captures the spirit of California’s old vines and the joy of the first wine of the vintage. Crafted in the nouveau tradition with Las Jaras’ own experimental twist, it’s a fresh, fruit-driven wine that celebrates immediacy, spontaneity, and pure drinking pleasure. Each glass bursts with life, proving that “delicious” can still mean layered, honest, and complex.

Product Details:

• Producer: Las Jaras Wines
• Winemakers: Joel Burt and Eric Wareheim
• Owner: Eric Wareheim
• Varieties: 80% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah
• Vineyards: Cherryhouse (Lodi Mokelumne River), Gary Venturi (Mendocino County)
• Farming: 100% Organic
• Fermentation: Carbonic maceration, destemmed, and reverse saignée techniques
• ABV: 12.98%
• TA: 5.82 g/L
• pH: 3.57
• RS: 0.5 g/L
• SO₂: 22 ppm total
• Production: 1,100 cases
• Bottled: October 17, 2025 (Joel’s birthday)
• Label Art: Sara Rabin
• Philanthropy: A portion of profits benefits La Luz Center

Sensory Description:

This exuberant red hums with aromas of raspberry, marionberry, and red plum layered with hints of cocoa and sweet spice. On the palate, juicy waves of chocolate-covered cherry, boysenberry, and fresh berries mingle with a lively, zippy acidity that keeps each sip refreshing. Smooth and supple, it finishes long and satisfying, leaving a playful echo of fruit and dark chocolate on the tongue.

Winemaker's Background:

Founded by winemaker Joel Burt and actor-producer Eric Wareheim, Las Jaras Wines was created to bring people together through expressive, joyous wines that balance natural production with meticulous craftsmanship. Based in California, the duo embraces organic farming, low-intervention methods, and creative fermentation techniques that highlight the vibrancy and diversity of the state’s vineyards. Their wines are made for the table, meant to inspire laughter, connection, and conversation.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve lightly chilled at 55–58°F in a Burgundy or universal red wine glass to accentuate its fruit-forward character. Slipper Sippers pairs beautifully with grilled sausages, mushroom pizza, or a charcuterie board featuring brie and dried cranberries. Its bright acidity and juicy texture also make it a delightful match for roast chicken or Thanksgiving leftovers.

The 2025 Las Jaras Slipper Sippers Nouveau is a wine of pure joy, a celebration of harvest, friendship, and the art of not taking wine too seriously. Fresh, vivid, and irresistibly fun, it’s California’s answer to Beaujolais, reimagined for the modern drinker.