The memory of September 8, 2020 is still as vivid as yesterday for those of us who call the Rogue Valley home. The Almeda Fire began as a small brush fire, but it exploded into one of the most destructive Oregon wildfires in our state's history. This was a different kind of fire.

On Labor day in 2020, Oregon saw the deadliest wildfire season in state history. At one point 80% of the school children in the area were homeless. Eleven lives were lost, skies turned orange, more than 4,000 homes burned and tens of thousands of Oregonians evacuated as multiple fires scorched more than a million acres.

Local authorities in addition to state and federal agencies were overwhelmed, so while they coordinated efforts to mobilize - a group of Rogue Valley food and beverage professionals activated to ensure no one in the community went hungry. After about 7,000 meals made and distributed together Rogue Food Unites was formed to sustainably address the changing needs of our Rogue Valley neighbors, and with it a sisterhood was born.

A family with a vineyard that had been left fallow trusted us to bring the vines back. Decades old, this beautiful yet wild vineyard that sat a top a steep hillside on a private property just outside of Jacksonville - captivated our hearts. For three vintages we correctively farmed the site before taking the fruit from the 2023 vintage to make three wines, our Big Bear Ridge series.

And we can't wait to share them with you.

Robulous Wine Company made two wines in our first vintage, some of you may have had the opportunity to taste the 2021 Viognier this past April.

Our second label debuts for our new winery with this 2021 Fort Miller Vineyard Cabernet Franc. With 18 months on once filled  french oak and another 18 months to age in the bottle prior to its release, we produced 28 cases to be shared with only with our Ohana.

Some folks say that Cabernet Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon. Not in this case. This single vineyard expression of 100% Cabernet Franc is a big, rich full bodied wine exploding with a peppery perfume of raspberry and mouth watering dark stone fruits, tobacco, bell pepper, cassis, and violets. Drink now through 2035.

Harvest Date: 10/14/2021
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc
Vineyard Source: Fort Miller Vineyard
AVA: Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon
Fermentation Vessel: 1 ton bins
Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
Barrel Aging: 18 Months
Bottle Date: 6/8/2023
Cases Produced: 28 Cases
Barrel Selection: 100% Neutral French Oak

Bottle Chemistry
pH 3.38
TA 5.4 g/L
R.S. Dry
Alcohol 13.4%

Did you know?
Records of Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux go back to the end of the 18th century, although it was planted in Loire long before that time. DNA analysis indicates that Cabernet Franc is one of two parents of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carménère.

We asked ourselves.

As we embark on this mad adventure, what spirit animal (in this case cephalopod) possesses all of the mutant powers we need to ensure success in our journey?

Three Hearts: Two hearts pump blood through the gills, while the third circulates oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. When an octopus swims, its main heart temporarily stops, which is why they prefer crawling.

Blue Blood: Their blood uses a copper-based protein called hemocyanin instead of iron-based hemoglobin, making it blue and efficient for cold, low-oxygen environments.

Nine Brains: A central brain controls the body, but about 60% to two-thirds of an octopus's neurons live in its arms. Each arm can taste, touch, and move independently. 

Extreme Flexibility: With no bones or internal skeleton, an octopus can squeeze through any opening that fits its hard, parrot-like beak. 

Masters of Camouflage: Specialized skin cells called chromatophores, iridophores, and leucophores let them change color, pattern, and texture in a fraction of a second.

High Intelligence: They solve complex mazes, open screw-top jars, use tools like coconut shells for shelter, and show playful behavior

Distributed brain: More than two-thirds of an octopus's neurons are located in its arms rather than its central brain.

Independent arms: Each arm can taste, touch, and move semi-autonomously without waiting for instructions from the head.

Tasting with suckers: The suction cups are lined with chemoreceptors that let octopuses taste everything they touch.

Tons of suckers: A single common octopus can have around 240 suction cups on each arm.

Super strength: A single suction cup can hold up to 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of weight.

Regrowing arms: If an octopus loses an arm, it can completely regenerate a new one.

Not always eight arms: Ancient ancestors of octopuses had ten limbs.

Ancient lineage: Fossil evidence shows ancestors of octopuses lived over 328 million years ago.

As many of you know, Robert and I met at the crossroads of a Bronco II and wine. Our first overnight getaway was two weeks of harvest internships in Napa and Sonoma. Let's be real, we all knew that it was only a matter of time...so it is with great excitement that we invite you along on a journey we embarked on in the fall of 2021.

In the fall of 2021 on the heels of a global pandemic and local wildfire, Robert and I were reminded of "Ohana" (the Hawaiian word for family). Stitch said it best, "Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind." At the height of our inspiration, a family of winemakers, wine grape growers and a region exploding with collaborative passion set us up with the ability to make our very first wine. A 2021 Viognier to debut for our new winery named after artwork born from bad life decisions that transcend time to become a legacy.

2021 Valley View Vineyard Viognier
Five cases of this lot will be gifted to the people who made this wine possible, in addition to educational and local non-profit efforts. On May 5th, Robulous Wine Company will be releasing 10 cases (Lot 1) of this 20 case production of our very first wine.  The remaining 5 cases of this wine (Lot 2) will be cellared to be released via allocation May 5th, 2025 at $50 a bottle.

Harvest Dates 10/6/2021
Varietal 100% Viognier
Vineyard Source: Valley View Vineyard
AVA: Applegate Valley, Southern Oregon
Harvesting & Sorting: Cluster sorted by vineyard crew
Processing: Whole Cluster Press
Fermentation: Vessel French Oak, Acacia
Fermentation Duration: 15 Days
Fermentation Temp: 56F – 65F
Malolactic Fermentation: No
Bottle Date: June, 2022
Cases Produced 20

Bottle Chemistry
pH 3.39
TA 5.5 g/L
R.S. dry
Alcohol 13.6%

Robert made a mistake at work.
They hung it over my desk and called it Robulous.

Everyone started adding to it and over time it became the one thing in the room that drew your attention. That's what we needed for the wines we make. All small lot, a blip you might miss in a sea of producers.

It's also a nod to all of those folks that pushed us, added something...that made Robulous Wine Company what it is, a tip of the hat to every. single. person. that got us here.