A Wine with You in Mind

Mar 01, 2023 at 10:05 am by RMGadmin


Revelette Wines

BY AMELIA ROSE SMITH  

For centuries, wine has been a symbol of celebration, friendship and love. From its humble beginnings in primeval culture to the refined vintages of modern times, wine has captured the hearts and palates of people around the world. In this story, we delve into a new private-label, Revelette Wines, and discover the passion, artistry and science that go into making this quality vino.
 
The Revelette family owns local restaurant chains Jonathan’s Grille and The Rutledge. So, the addition of Revelette Wines is a true reflection of the Revelette’s passion for hospitality and producing quality products.
 
The private label wine took off during Covid. Mason Revelette shares, “A true entrepreneur can’t turn that part of their brain off no matter what circumstances exist!” He continues, “We wanted to create a wine that would translate well to The Rutledge customer. My personal interest is centered around Napa Cabernet Sauvignons, and the experience gained building wine lists for The Rutledge inspired me.”
 
So, with a passion for quality and an intrigue for wine, Mason embarked on the harvesting journey. 
 
The process for creating the first year of selections involved a lot of strategic decision making. Mason shares, “First, I had to decide where I wanted to source the grapes. The geographic origin of the grapes is the determining factor for quality and flavor profile. Napa Valley is a prestigious growing region for many reasons.” He continues, “It actually is home to over fifty percent of the world’s soil types. Also, the environment in which the grapes are grown, or ‘terroir’ dictates many characteristics of the wine.”
 
After exploring Napa Valley, Mason fell in love with the growing region of Rutherford. With the winery being on the other side of the country, Mason sought out a place similar to middle Tennessee. In Rutherford, Mason found a tight-knit community which reminded him of the old Nashville – where everyone knew everyone. With locals spanning over two to three generations, it felt like the perfect place to harvest a family-owned wine label.
 
Once the vineyard was secured, the grapes were harvested September through November. Then, in January, Mason visited the winery to blend the wine. “The blending process involves adding miniscule amounts of other grape varietals to put the finishing touches on the flavor profile and body of the wine,” says Mason. “That process takes a few hours to get it just right if you source quality fruit!”

“A true entrepreneur can’t turn that part of their brain offno matter what circumstances exist!” 


A thumbprint  was chosen as the label to represent Mason’s stamp (thumbprint)  of approval on something that reflects his family. 

The first wine he mastered was the Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon (2019 vintage), which recently scored a ninety-one from Wine Spectator. I actually had the pleasure of tasting this first-year selection when we featured The Rutledge in our “Pours & Palates” column, and it was wondrous!
 
Revelette Wines is proud to be a boutique, personal brand. Their decision to seek fine dining establishments to share their vino conveys their passion for quality over quantity. The concept for Revelette Wines has changed pretty drastically. Initially, it was only intended to be sold at The Rutledge. However, after having friends in the food and beverage industry in New York City sample their wine, they were encouraged to sell to other outlets. Now the wine is sold in four states – Florida being the most recent addition. 
 
With Revelette Wines distribution growing, it will become more accessible to those wanting to explore new notes. Mason shares, “We want the wine to be accessible to someone who appreciates fine wine or who is hesitant to exploring reds. Red wines can be intimidating, so we blend our Red Blend to be enjoyable by a seasoned Cabernet drinker but also approachable by those who enjoy lighter reds like a Pinot Noir.” 
 
And, if red wine just isn’t your thing, they announced the release of Revelette Rosé for this spring. “It is the perfect addition to our portfolio and will be offered at all Jonathan’s Grille and Rutledge locations in Tennessee,” exclaims Mason. “The Tempranillo based blend is light, and refreshing with a vibrant structure.” 
 
To explore the Revelette Wines options and purchase a bottle, visit revelettewines.com.

Where to find Revelette Wines

Tennessee
The Rutledge in Franklin
The Rutledge in Downtown Nashville
Mimo at Four Seasons Nashville
 
Colorado
EDGE Steakhouse at Four Seasons Denver
Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch 
 
California
TRUSS at Four Seasons Napa Valley
Quattro at Four Seasons Silicon Valley
ARDOR at The West Hollywood EDITION
 
Florida
Matador Room at The Miami Beach EDITION
Lido Restaurant and Champagne Bar at The Surf Club – Four Seasons Bal Harbor 
Evelyn’s at Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale 
Florie’s at Four Seasons Palm Beach 
EDGE at Four Seasons Hotel Miami