The founding concept was to employ artisanal methods (hand selection of grapes, barrel fermentation and sur lies aging of white wines, fermentation in wood with hand punching down for red wines, long-term barrel aging of red wines, minimal manipulation - no filtration) to produce wines of enduring value with traditional European style and character.
KALIN CELLAR'S competitive cluster is the first growth wines of Burgundy and Bordeaux. KALIN invests the same time-consuming and labor-intensive methods that are used by these producers - but charges much less for the a similar caliber of wine ($30 - vs. $75 to 500 per bottle for first growth wines!). KALIN produces approximately 7000 cases per year of 100% single vintage and single vineyard wines.
KALIN pioneered the production of unfiltered, sur lies aged white wines in California. All white wines have been bottled without filtration since 1981 - red wines are always bottled without fining, filtration, or the addition of press wine. KALIN produces barrel fermented rose sparkling wine (Cuvee Rose), Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and in special vintages a late-harvest dessert wine (Cuvee d'Or) from botrytis affected Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
