Abandon the search for truth...
...settle for a good fantasy...
In the summer of 2004, following graduation from high school, Tessa began her winemaking career by working in her family’s tasting room. At the age of 18, still too young to actually taste the wines that were being poured, she would smell them and describe their aromatics using the descriptive words she had so frequently heard there. Curious about the process of crafting fine wine, and armed with determination, she enrolled in the Enology and Viticulture program at Allan Hancock College.
It was during that first semester, as she attended school and worked harvest at a local winery, that Tessa discovered Sangiovese. Instantly this variety captured Tessa’s attention. With its food-friendly character, forward fruit and ageablity, Sangiovese would become the cornerstone of Tessa’s winemaking efforts. Shortly after this revelation, the Tessa Marie label was born and a new winemaking career began.
Today, with four harvests under her belt, Tessa continues to perfect her winemaking techniques and has expanded her portfolio to include several new varieties in her all Italian lineup. Sangiovese however, remains the hallmark of the program and always will!