Sakura Winery

Sakura Winery

2111 Research Dr., Livermore, CA 94550
sakurawinery.com

Region: Livermore Valley

Owners: Jennifer Sahara

Winemaker: Jennifer Sahara

About: Sakura Winery began somewhat unexpectedly. Owner and winemaker Jennifer Sahara spent her career in aerospace as an orbital mission analyst and had never planned on becoming a winemaker. After moving with her family to a property in Livermore that happened to have a small vineyard, she was drawn to winemaking, and Sakura Winery grew from there. The name “Sakura,” Japanese for cherry blossoms, was inspired by Jennifer’s mom and reflects the idea of slowing down and appreciating the moments we have. Sakura produces small-lot, thoughtfully crafted wines that are fruit-forward, balanced, and expressive of each grape variety. Jennifer especially enjoys taking grapes people may think they know—like Petit Verdot—and showing them in an unexpected way, including Sakura’s Petit Verdot Rosé.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Petit Verdot, for sure. Most people know it as a blending grape, but I love seeing what it can do on its own and then taking that a step further by making it as a rosé. I love the beautiful color and bright fruit it brings. It’s especially fun to pour for someone who has never had a Petit Verdot rosé before.

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Tempranillo was the first lesser-known variety I worked with, simply because it was already growing on our property when we moved here. In fact, it was the first varietal I worked with, period. Since I was completely new to winemaking, I didn’t really have expectations for what it should be like, so there weren’t any surprises. What stood out right away, though, was its earthy spiciness, and it quickly became one of my favorite grape varieties to work with.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? I love that people come to undiscovered grapes with less prior exposure. That allows them to be more open to simply experiencing the wine rather than comparing it to preconceived expectations. It makes tasting more about discovery and creates room for winemakers to explore new styles and expressions of a given varietal.