Collins Family Wines

Winemaking has long been a passion in the home of physician Lawrence Collins and his artist wife, Judi. Beloved family friend, Papa Dan Calcaterra, passed along a legacy of old world winemaking, while Judi has painted and exhibited her work at galleries on both coasts. Larry and Judi's two daughters were also integral contributors to the artistry of the wines. Poet and Creative Director, Jennifer Collins Wootton, wrote all the text for the wine labels and Jessica Collins Fitzgerald designed the logo.

Frequent trips to the most acclaimed wine regions in Europe and California have informed Larry's winemaking over the years, as have his in-depth studies of the subject, including University of California at Davis programs and input from distinguished California winemakers. Throughout France, Italy, Spain and Germany, Larry and Judi have steeped themselves in the unique culture of each country, visiting art museums, vineyards and wineries .

In 1996, the passion for winemaking came to a fuller fruition... the Collins family planted 54 acres in Lodi, California. Winemaking began in 2002. In April 2004, the maiden offering, a 2002 Syrah, was released, closely followed by the family's most acclaimed wine, a 2003 Chardonnay culled from a single vineyard along the Sonoma Coast. In 2006 Collins purchased and planted a 14 acre vineyard of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Sonoma, California.

From the beginning, it was decided that Judi's paintings would form the centerpiece of each label's design. Thus, the Artist Series was born. The 2003 Chardonnay holds the distinction of being the first in this exceptional series. Each new vintage label has featured a different original painting from Judi's body of work.

Collins Family Wines was a boutique wine production dedicated to exclusive limited production. In this manner, the intimacy of the process and quality of the final product was maintained.

As it was at its inception, and continued through four commercial releases – winemaking has been a family passion. Artists committed to the art of creating fine wines.

Regarding the gold medal Chardonnay of 2003, the following was written in the Wine Enthusiast, December 2005 Issue.

Kinter Collins 2003 Pacheco Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast); $18. The cool climate has accentuated the minerality and tangy acidity of this wine, which is its basic structure. Ripeness contributes tantalizing tastes of lime and mango. To this, the winemaker has seasoned brilliantly with oak, which is smokey, caramelly, vanilla-infused and creamy. What a wonderful wine. It makes you wonder how they sell it at this price.

Editors' Choice. –S.H.