Slanted House: A Labor of Love

Winemaker Thomas Brocker

In 2005 Thomas and his wife Alicia bought their first home in Petaluma, not realizing that it was slightly slanted.

It has since been a labor of love and the inspiration for their wine label, Slanted House. Thomas graduated from UC Davis in 2002 with a degree in Enology and Viticulture. He then scored internships under Ed Kurtzman of Testarossa, winemaker Michael Michaud, Greg LaFollette and Catherine Blagden.  From 2007 to 2009 Thomas worked at Showket Vineyards in the Oakville district of Napa Valley as co-winemaker with Russell Bevan.  He and Russell are working together again making wines for Bevan Cellars and Chateau Boswell.

The word “small-production” is thrown around a lot these days, but Thomas gives genuine meaning to the term: Slanted House makes just 50 cases each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. 

Order any combination of six and save 10%

Ivy Glen Vineyard Sonoma Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

This rich and complex 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has both red and dark fruit characteristics with smooth tannins. Common to Sonoma Cabernets, you'll find this wine to be very approachable at its young age. The mountain vineyard fruit adds a beautiful complexity to the pallet. Enjoy now with a host of red meats from gamey lamb to prime rib. Stock your cellar and watch this wine age over the next 5-10 years  

 

Spring Mountain District Cabernet Franc 2011  

Spring Mountain District is on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains which separate Napa from Sonoma. Wines coming from this region show unmistakable intense flavor and delicate, balanced tannins. This 100% Cabernet Franc is a perfect representation of Spring Mountain and also shows the true flavor characteristics usually found in this varietal, lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon but filled with herbaceous, plum flavors. Pair this Cabernet Franc with herb-crusted rack of lamb.  

Moresco Vineyard Sonoma Valley Syrah 2011

Syrah is only made well in a very, very small portion of the world. One of those places is Sonoma - a beautiful match of soils and climate for the Syrah grape. Slanted House Syrah expresses bold, rich flavors and a heavy, chewy texture. It tastes more of spice than fruit, with notes of bay leaves, and black pepper. Pair with potatoes roasted in olive oil, bay leaf, rosemary and ground tellicherry pepper.