Blade & Talon
Blade & Talon is a boutique winery located in Tres Pinos, California, located within the picturesque San Benito County. Known for its innovative approach to winemaking, Blade & Talon draws inspiration from the intersection of history, science, and creativity, crafting small-batch wines that are as distinctive as the region.
At the heart of Blade & Talon’s philosophy is a deep respect for the land and its history. Combining Old World traditions with New World ingenuity, the winery sources grapes from thoughtfully managed vineyards in San Benito County. The terroir here, with its limestone-rich soils and unique climate, lends remarkable complexity and character to the wines. Blade & Talon embraces minimal intervention techniques, using native yeast fermentation and leaving wines unfiltered to preserve their natural vibrancy.
The winery’s story is rooted in a passion for exploration and craftsmanship. After a transformative visit to the Loire Valley, the founder shifted paths from ornithology to winemaking, driven by a profound connection to the artistry and nature behind each bottle. This commitment to excellence is reflected in every vintage, starting with their inaugural release—a rosé of Barbera—crafted with fruit from the esteemed Siletto Family Vineyards.
Blade & Talon wines are not only a celebration of craftsmanship but also a bridge to deeper conversations and reflections. Balancing attractive organoleptics with thought-provoking complexity, the wines are a toast to both tradition and innovation. They invite wine enthusiasts to experience the harmony of nature and culture, one glass at a time.
explore wines
white
The grapes were destemmed and crushed, and the juice allowed 5 days of skin contact before pressing. The wine was aged sur lie, with bâttonage, in neutral French oak. Delicate aromas of verbena and paper mache make for a unique but appealing nose on this bottling of a grape that's very rare in California. Meyer lemon and stone-fruit flavors arise on the bright and pithy palate, as that damp paper and clay minerality lingers into the finish.
Rose
Fermentation by immersion: A dark magenta in color, this is a rosé for those seeking more than just pale pink juice. Pomegranate, rose petal and ash on the nose. The palate picks up tart cranberry and darker berry, set atop a grippy texture and refreshing acidity.
Composition: 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Pfeffer, 20% Aglianico
red
33% whole cluster. Intense aromas of boysenberry, violet, cardamom and loamy soil show on the complex nose of this bottling of a rare grape that has a long history in this region. A soft, pillowy texture introduces the palate, where boysenberry, purple flower and black pepper spice align.
Native fermentation. No fining. No filtration. One of the first California bottlings of a variety originally from Piedmonte, this bottling is light in color and hazy in the glass, offering lovely strawberry, bubblegum, pepper and sage aromas. It's bright and snappy on the palate, where fresh cranberry, pomegranate and clay flavors meet with an easygoing but taut texture.
Fresh aromas of plum and strawberry make for a fruit-driven nose on this blend. The palate is tart and floral, offering plum skin, rose petal and white pepper flavors atop a taut frame.
Composition: 44% Negrette, 34% Malbec, 22% Cabernet Franc
Winemaker Nat Wong nodes to his generational California-Chinese roots in this blend. It's light in the glass, offering fresh strawberry, cherry and sandalwood aromas on the nose. The palate is pleasantly simple, showing red apple, cinnamon and sumac flavors on a very light frame, likely excellent for spicy Chinese dishes.
Composition: 57% Cabernet Pfeffer, 43% Mourvèdre