{"id":2835,"date":"2026-08-19T02:25:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T02:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=2835"},"modified":"2026-08-19T02:25:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T02:25:15","slug":"winemaker-interview-series-joel-peterson-of-once-future-may-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=2835","title":{"rendered":"Winemaker Interview Series &#8211; Joel Peterson of Once &#038; Future &#8211; May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Joel-Peterson-Once-and-Future-Winemaker-Blog.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-1935\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Joel-Peterson-Once-and-Future-Winemaker-Blog.gif\" alt=\"Joel Peterson\" width=\"258\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a>On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, we had the opportunity to interview <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onceandfuturewine.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Joel Peterson<\/strong><\/a> again. Joel is the winemaker and owner of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onceandfuturewine.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Once &amp; Future Wines<\/strong><\/a>. In the interview, we covered one regional 2024 \u201cOld Vine\u201d Zinfandel, five 2024 Single-Vineyard Zinfandels, and, finally, a retrospective 2016-vintage Petite Sirah. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=2583\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>We last interviewed Joel in June of 2025<\/strong><\/a>. In that interview, we covered the previous vintage of many of these wines. In the current interview, Joel shared some updates since our last chat. Below you can also read the summary of our reviews of all these new-release Zins!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Before we get to the wines, I thought I would share some tidbits that Joel shared in the interview.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Joel has continued doing a lot of work with his son Morgan at Bedrock Vineyard.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/regenerativeviticulture.org\/vineyard\/bedrock-vineyard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Bedrock Vineyard is certified both Organic and recently certified Regenerative<\/strong><\/a>. (Only 1 of about 20 in the world)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What are the vineyard sources for the \u201cOld Vine\u201d Zin?<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Joel\u2019s blend of non-single vineyard selected barrels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1 barrel of Bedrock and 1 barrel of Teldeschi.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What is the status with the Ravenswood consulting project?<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Joel is no longer helping with the project.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tell us about the 2024 Vintage?<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Difficult Vintage &#8211; Joel only made 6 wines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Early heat spikes during veraison.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wines needed punch downs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Good flavors and expressive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Earlier pick than usual.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These three single vineyards that Joel uses have vines over 100 years old.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/historicvineyardsociety.org\/vineyard\/bedrock\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bedrock Vineyard<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Old Hill Ranch<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Teldeschi Vineyard Frank&#8217;s Block<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Joel shared the story of Vogensen Vineyard.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Joe Vogensen sold Joel the grapes that was the first wine that Joel ever made.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Joe sold the vineyard to Harry Wheller in 1981.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Harry told Joel he was not going to sell the vineyard.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In 1982 Harry sold the vineyard to Lou Preston.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Lou tore out the Zin and planted Grenache and Syrah.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Somehow Morgan discovered they left 1\/2 an acre of Zin.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Joel jumped at the chance to get the grapes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For the last 3 years Joel has been able to make a barrel and a \u00bd from this vineyard.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This wine is a back to his roots wine for Joel.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/historicvineyardsociety.org\/vineyard\/belloni\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Belloni Vineyard<\/strong><\/a> has Mataro and Alicante Bouschet in the mixed blacks.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Alicante pushed the blueberry flavors!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Joel first started working with \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/historicvineyardsociety.org\/vineyard\/old-hill-ranch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Old Hill Ranch<\/strong><\/a>\u201d in 1981.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is now organically farmed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are 30 different grape varieties in this vineyard.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Frank&#8217;s Block in the <a href=\"https:\/\/historicvineyardsociety.org\/vineyard\/teldeschi-ranch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Teldeschi Vineyard<\/strong><\/a> is the 1904 block.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Dry Creek Valley has a reddish soil (It is high in iron)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Carignan and Alicante are slow to ripen.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">All the grapes are picked together, so Joel has to call the pick at the right time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">All of Joel\u2019s wines are made the same way. Same techniques. Same open top fermenter.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The most interesting wines that Joel has experienced are aged Petite Sirah\u2019s.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Our experience covering the 2016 \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/historicvineyardsociety.org\/vineyard\/palisades-vineyard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Palisades Vineyard<\/strong><\/a>\u201d Petite Sirah revealed the magic Joel was expressed to us!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Below is a summary of the wine offerings from Once &amp; Future that we covered with Joel. The links below are to our full reviews. If you are interested in ordering and trying these wines, you will find some of these wines via your favorite fine wine shop or on top quality wines lists. You can also find a few online. Your best bet is to call (855) 566-3946 or e-mail the winery for information. At <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>info@onceandfuturewine.com.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Once-and-Future-Logo.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2138\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Once-and-Future-Logo.gif\" alt=\"Once &amp; Future Logo\" width=\"500\" height=\"106\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Once-and-Future-2024-Old-Vine-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Once &amp; Future 2024 Zinfandel \u201cOld Vine\u201d<\/strong><\/a> (Sonoma County) $25 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 92.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">2) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Once-and-Future-2024-Bedrock-Vineyard-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Once &amp; Future 2024 Zinfandel \u201cBedrock Vineyard\u201d<\/strong><\/a> (Sonoma Valley) $42 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 94<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">3) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Once-and-Future-2024-Belloni-Vineyard-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Once &amp; Future 2024 Zinfandel \u201cBelloni Vineyard\u201d<\/strong><\/a> (RRV) $42 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 94<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">4) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Once-and-Future-2024-Old-Hill-Ranch-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Once &amp; Future 2024 Zinfandel \u201cOld Hill Ranch\u201d<\/strong><\/a> (Sonoma Valley) $48 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 94.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">5) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Once-and-Future-2024-Teldeschi-Vineyard-Franks-Block-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Once &amp; Future 2024 Zinfandel \u201cTeldeschi Vineyard Frank&#8217;s Block&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (DCV) $42 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 94.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">6) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Once-and-Future-2024-Vogensen-Vineyard-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Once &amp; Future 2024 Zinfandel \u201cVogensen Vineyard\u201d<\/strong><\/a> (DCV) $42 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 91.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">7) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Once-Future-2016-Palisades-Vineyard-Petite-Sirah\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Once &amp; Future 2016 Petite Sirah &#8220;Palisades Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Calistoga) $55 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 95<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can find reviews of past and future Once and Future wines that we cover on the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine.php?winery=2502\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Once and Future KWG winery page<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">on our website. We hope you enjoy these terrific wines as much as we did. Cheers! \u2013 Ken<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, we had the opportunity to interview Joel Peterson again. Joel is the winemaker and owner of Once &amp; Future Wines. In the interview, we covered one regional 2024 \u201cOld Vine\u201d Zinfandel, five 2024 Single-Vineyard Zinfandels, and, finally, a retrospective 2016-vintage Petite Sirah. We last interviewed Joel in June of 2025. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1936,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2068,2545,92,2546,1616,76,1617,11,1619,3634,123,2547,993,1618,2557,181,2548,124,1187,102,2070,3464,1256,126,8,6,1292,987,39,988,1288],"tags":[3632,1634,1629,412,2918,2322,1636,3035,1633,1620,1622,3633,507,1627,1004,1621,2550,1510,3038,1469,1625,268,3039,1631,2066,1434,1624,523],"class_list":["post-2835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bedrock-vineyard","category-belloni-vineyard","category-california","category-calistoga","category-carignane","category-dry-creek-valley","category-joel-peterson","category-kens-wine-guide-tasting-panel","category-mataro","category-mixed-blacks","category-napa-valley","category-old-hill-ranch","category-old-vines","category-once-future","category-organic-farming","category-organic-wine","category-palisades-vineyard","category-petite-sirah","category-red-wine","category-russian-river-valley","category-sonoma-valley","category-teldeschi-vineyard","category-virtual-wine-tasting","category-wine-ratings","category-wine-recommendations","category-wine-reviews","category-winemaker","category-zap","category-zinfandel","category-zinfandel-advocates-producers","category-zoom-wine-tasting","tag-alicante-bouschet","tag-bedrock-vineyard","tag-belloni-vineyard","tag-calistoga","tag-carignan","tag-certified-organic","tag-dry-creek","tag-dry-creek-valley","tag-franks-block","tag-joel-peterson","tag-mataro","tag-mixed-blacks","tag-napa-valley","tag-old-hill-ranch","tag-old-vine","tag-once-future","tag-palisades-vineyard","tag-petite-sirah","tag-regenerative-organic","tag-russian-river-valley","tag-single-vineyard","tag-sonoma-valley","tag-teldeschi","tag-teldeschi-vineyard","tag-vogensen-vineyard","tag-winemaker","tag-zin","tag-zinfandel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2835","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2835"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2835\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2837,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2835\/revisions\/2837"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2835"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2835"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2835"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}