Young Energy Flows Through Nottingham Cellars
Nottingham Cellars is a rising star in wine as it helps lift the reputation of a rising region, Livermore Valley.
BY TOURING & TASTING
Founded by Diane and Jeff Cranor in 2009, the name Nottingham Cellars has fast become synonymous with premier quality Livermore Valley wine. They established Nottingham Cellars because Jeff saw tremendous untapped potential in Livermore Valley fruit. He also saw potential in his son, Collin, who naturally gravitated toward the cellar as a gifted winemaker. Vintage upon vintage, Collin’s wines receive top awards, high acclaim, and many 90-plus scores from the world’s top critics. Although he is one of the valley’s youngest winemakers, he is one of its most respected; invited to serve on advisory boards and tasting panels to help promote the quality of Livermore Valley wine.
The Cranors source the best fruit from the region’s "best thought-out" vineyards—sites that maximize a variety’s potential. By adhering to this strategy, Nottingham Cellars first built an enviable reputation for its limited-production single vineyard Cabernet and Bordeaux blends and has since expanded its scope to fully demonstrate the region’s diversity. The Livermore Valley possesses many distinct microclimates, which support an impressive array of wine grapes. To adequately explore this diversity, the Cranors now produce their wine under three distinct brand names. Each brand is designed to honor the potential and history of the Livermore Valley.
Under the NC Collection, Nottingham Cellars is the flagship brand of fine Bordeaux varietals. Vasco Urbano Wine Company—named for caricature artist Vasco Urbano Loureiro, who sketched portraits of several prominent Livermore Valley residents in the early 1900s—showcases exceptional Rhône varietals. And 1846 by Nottingham Cellars wines are larger lots that are food-friendly varietal expressions that pay homage to the Livermore Valley AVA. The first 1846 vintage 2015 Sauvignon Blanc won Double Gold at the 2016 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and Best of Show, Best White, and Best Sauvignon Blanc at Livermore Valley 2016 Uncorked. The 2017 vintage will be released this spring.
What to Buy
'13 Supremacy - $85
Dark fruit, chocolate, red cherry, herbaceous earthy tones
'15 Fraser-Howard Chardonnay - $36
Meyer lemon, green apple, spice, stone fruit
'13 Cabernet Sauvignon “Casa de Vinas Vineyard” - $60
Black fruit, cocoa, berries
Special Notes
Owner on-site; private tasting by appointment; various wine club options, discounts, and events; winemaker dinners; diverse portfolio.
Contact
2245 S Vasco Rd.
Livermore, CA 94550
Phone: 925-294-8647
Email: info@nottinghamcellars.com
Website: nottinghamcellars.com
Tasting Room: Open Thur–Sun 12–4:30 or by appointment.
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
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