The word upshot, by definition, is the final result or outcome. And the final result in Rodney Strong’s Upshot is a red blend that is 100% derived from Sonoma County and is now available at Breakthru Beverage.
Justin Seidenfeld has been with Rodney Strong for eight years, starting as an Associate Winemaker and was recently promoted to Director of Winemaking. We spoke with him about what went into making the brand’s innovative Upshot, the latest wine trends, and what consumers can expect from Rodney Strong in 2019.
What is Upshot?
Justin Seidenfeld: It’s a red blend with five varietals and it’s all about enjoyment and loving life. It’s not an ego wine, it’s more of an everyday drinking wine. I have a passion for winemaking and I’m showing the world the way I see things through wine with Upshot.
Tell us about the label.
So, I’m a science geek. I got an engineering degree from UC Davis before getting into winemaking. The label is an educational calendar with every single step from harvest to bottling. We’ve got the breakdown of the five varietals (Zinfandel, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Riesling), time spent in the barrel and the appellation. Consumers have every piece of information of this wine at their fingertips.
What flavors can consumers expect to taste in Upshot?
It’s a juicy and jammy wine with bright black and red fruit notes. There’s some pepper from the Zinfandel and some jasmine and grapefruit blossom from the Riesling. It's a deeply nuanced and rich wine.
What would you say are some great foods to pair with Upshot?
Anything works, really. Chicken, salmon and even BBQ will stand up well to it. My wife pairs it with nice salads, especially ones topped with meat. Those acid-based dressings and the protein from the meat pair really well with the wine.
Tell us about your creative process to produce a unique blended wine.
For me, it always starts in the vineyard. I have a good idea of what the blend will look like just by knowing what the vineyard and grapes look like. You could tell by the smell of the dirt that the grapes smelled amazing! I wanted to create a wine that epitomizes my passion for blending wine and my enjoyment for living this amazing life. And I think that really comes through when you enjoy Upshot with your family and friends.
What have been some winemaking trends that you have noticed recently?
The main trend I’ve seen is people demanding high-quality wine. We are in a mature wine culture now and consumers are focused on trusting a producer and their expertise and less inclined to care about a specific region.
What else is new with Rodney Strong this year? What should consumers look out for from your brand?
Our Rosé of Pinot Noir is coming back on January 1, 2019 with a new look. We’re refreshing our highest-scoring wine with a whole new label design and we’re really excited about that update. It’s been a lot of fun making it and the new design breaks away from some of the classic Rodney Strong branding.
We have a whole new brand, owned by the Klein family, Rowen Wine Company. Consumers will find a higher end red blend that is just amazing. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah and Viognier all work beautifully together and it’s scored really well in all the major publications.
Rodney Strong will be celebrating its 60th year in 2019, with 30 years of Klein family ownership. We are just getting set for the next generation here and the future is brighter than ever.