I was reading with attention a post from wine writer Alder Yarrow about the fundamental question: What is an Honest Wine?

As a winemaker, I feel the need to reply by this short quote:

Honesty will inspire

Yes, Honesty will inspire!

Wine should not be seen as a product but as a complex element not only involving pleasure but also, a sense of story teller about the soil, the climate, the people who works hard to grow grapes and make the wine.

What is an honest wine?
An honest wine inspires people;
An honest wine connects people;
An honest wine is not a "show off" wine but a quiet wine;
An honest wine does not use make-up because it tries to express its natural beauty;
An honest wine does not try to please;
An honest wine ages well because it grew with the fundamental basic of being patient and wise;
An honest wine brings a sense of memory in the palate;
An honest wine disturbs because it is candid;
An honest wine does not follow fashion and trends;
An honest wine has its own identity;
An honest wine respects the origin of the word VARIETY. It means DIVERSITY.

How to make an honest an honest wine?

By understanding the notion of soil, climate, history and past vintages;
By understanding that vineyard workers and cellar crew are doing the essential job and therefore they deserve credits;
By understanding that "oenology" comes AFTER farming;
By understanding that farming comes AFTER geology;
By understanding that a tiny bacteria buried 6 feet below the vine is an essential part of winemaking;
By understanding that wines are alive and therefore should be seen and treated as a living entity;
By understanding that winemaking is NOT engineering;
By accepting the fact that the notion of vintage is a great asset because it creates diversity;
By understanding that we cannot control everything and therefore, let nature do the job (native yeast);
By understanding that patience and dedication is an essential key of making honest wines;

The Winemaker on the name of Cooper Mountain Crew.