Journeyman Wines

Journeyman Wines is a Sonoma-based producer founded by Pete Seghesio, who transitioned to winemaking during the 2000s after stepping away from his family's previous venture. What sets Journeyman apart is Pete's direct relationship with growers across California—he sources fruit from carefully chosen vineyards he has befriended over decades, with the flagship Russian River Valley Chardonnay coming from the celebrated Ritchie vineyard. His winemaking takes place at the San Lorenzo vineyard below his home, a property with deep family roots tracing back to 1896 when his great-grandfather first produced wine there. Every decision in the cellar reflects control and intentionality: to preserve delicate aromas, grapes undergo hand-harvesting during the early morning hours between 3 and 6 a.m., the wine is aged 12 months in French oak and concrete eggs, then rested in stainless steel before bottling unfined and unfiltered.

About Journeyman Wines

Pete Seghesio's Journeyman project began with a clear philosophy: work with only a handful of vineyards planted with different Chardonnay clones to build complexity into the final wine. The San Lorenzo vineyard itself carries family history dating back to 1896, grounding Journeyman in continuity rather than trend. Below their house, Pete and his wife Cathy developed their winery operation, maintaining the scale and hands-on involvement that keeps quality paramount. The fruit sources—including the Grand Cru Ritchie vineyard in Russian River Valley—are chosen not for volume but for the ability to produce wines of real depth. In the cellar, Pete uses both French oak and concrete egg fermentation vessels; he believes the concrete eggs enhance mouthfeel and texture in ways traditional oak alone cannot achieve. The combination of these techniques produces wines with notable structure: the finished blend spends three months in stainless steel before unfined, unfiltered bottling. This approach demands precision at every stage, from the precise timing of night harvests to the careful blending of different vineyard parcels. The result is Chardonnay and Zinfandel with the character of their specific terroir and the refinement of a winemaker who has earned his craft over four decades.

Journeyman Wines Wines in Our Collection

The 2023 Russian River Chardonnay is Journeyman's signature wine, scoring 91 points from Wine Spectator. This is the wine that defined the Journeyman project—made from fruit grown in the prized Ritchie vineyard and handled with obsessive care from pre-dawn harvest through minimal processing. Expect wet stone minerality, apple tart brightness, and a rich, lingering mouthfeel that reflects Pete's use of concrete egg fermentation alongside French oak aging. For those seeking a different expression, the 2021 The Pearl Alexander Valley Zinfandel (also 91pts Wine Spectator) offers a red alternative from the San Lorenzo vineyard itself. This wine brings intensity and depth while maintaining the same philosophy of minimal intervention and careful fruit handling. Both wines reflect the Journeyman approach: small volumes, vineyard diversity through clonal selection, and winemaking choices made to enhance complexity rather than mask flaws. These are wines for the drinker who values precision and transparency in the glass.

Food Pairing

The Russian River Chardonnay's minerality and apple-forward acidity pair beautifully with roasted chicken, seared scallops, or creamy pasta dishes with white sauce. The wine's stone fruit notes work equally well with grilled fish, aged cheeses, and lighter seafood preparations. The Alexander Valley Zinfandel's ripe intensity suits braised short ribs, herb-roasted lamb, or game birds, while its structure holds up to dishes with moderate spice and umami-rich broths. Both wines reward food pairing rather than demanding it.

Why does Journeyman pick grapes at night?

Night harvesting between 3 and 6 a.m. preserves delicate fruit aromas. Cool temperatures keep the grapes fresh and intact, protecting the subtle flavours Pete wants to capture in his finished wines.

What makes Journeyman Chardonnay different from other California producers?

Pete works with only a handful of Sonoma vineyards planted with different clones for complexity. Concrete egg fermentation enhances mouthfeel; the wine is unfined and unfiltered, preserving natural texture and texture.

Is there a family history behind Journeyman Wines?

Yes. The San Lorenzo vineyard where Pete makes his wine is where his great-grandfather began making wine in 1896. Pete and his wife Cathy built their winery below their house on the same property.