Aperture Cellars Revives Collage 2023, Jesse Katz’s Most Artistic Sonoma Cabernet Yet

Photo Credit: Aperture Cellars

Aperture Cellars is returning with a new vintage of one of its most distinctive projects as founder and winemaker Jesse Katz introduces the latest release of Collage, continuing a concept that has become one of the most artistically driven expressions within the Sonoma winery’s portfolio. The return of the 2023 vintage of Aperture’s Collage signals another milestone for a brand that has steadily reshaped the global perception of California Bordeaux-style wines through a blend of precision winemaking, artistic storytelling, and meticulous vineyard selection.

Founded in 2009, Aperture Cellars has grown into one of the most celebrated wineries in Sonoma County under Katz’s leadership. The first-generation winemaker has built an extraordinary reputation for crafting wines that reflect both the structure of classic Bordeaux varietals and the layered character of California terroir. His achievements have been widely recognized across the wine industry, including being named Wine Enthusiast’s 2025 Winemaker of the Year, while Aperture Cellars was ranked #14 on the 2025 World’s Best Vineyards list, an honor that placed the estate among the world’s most prestigious wine destinations.

Katz’s journey into winemaking began through an unusual path shaped by global travel and creative influence. As the son of acclaimed photographer Andy Katz, he spent his early years visiting renowned vineyards and wineries across Europe and other major wine regions. These experiences introduced him to legendary producers and diverse terroirs, forming the foundation of a philosophy that blends technical mastery with artistic expression. That connection between art and wine remains central to the identity of Aperture Cellars today. Each bottle produced by the winery features a photograph captured by Andy Katz, turning every label into a visual narrative that reflects the wine’s deeper story.

Photo Credit: Aperture Cellars

From its base in Sonoma County, Aperture works with more than 200 acres of vineyards across multiple cool-climate appellations, enabling the winery to craft wines that express a wide spectrum of soil types, exposures, and microclimates. Cabernet Sauvignon remains the centerpiece of the portfolio, supported by Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Bordeaux-style blends that demonstrate the remarkable versatility of Sonoma vineyards.

Katz has achieved a level of critical acclaim rarely seen in contemporary winemaking. Over the course of his career he has produced more than three dozen wines awarded perfect 100-point scores from leading critics. Among his most notable accomplishments are creating the first 100-point Malbec in the United States and producing the first 100-point wine from Alexander Valley, milestones that helped elevate the reputation of California wines on the global stage. Katz also holds a Guinness World Record for the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold, reflecting the extraordinary demand for his wines among collectors worldwide.

Within this context, the Collage project represents one of the most ambitious and creatively driven expressions in the Aperture portfolio. Rather than being produced every year, Collage is conceived as a composition that evolves over time. Each release captures a singular moment shaped by climate, vineyard expression, and the final blend assembled by Katz. The wine is produced only when the vintage meets the winery’s exacting standards, reinforcing a philosophy rooted in restraint, precision, and artistic intention.

The return of Collage with the new 2023 vintage continues that philosophy. Built from vineyard fruit sourced across more than 200 acres spanning five Sonoma County appellations, the wine is assembled from hundreds of individual vineyard lots. From those parcels, only the most compelling selections are ultimately chosen for the final blend, often representing only a small fraction of the winery’s overall production. Some of the contributing vines date back to 1912, connecting the wine directly to Sonoma’s historic viticultural heritage.

Photo Credit: Aperture Cellars

Katz approaches the creation of Collage much like a visual artist assembling layers within a photograph. Each vineyard parcel acts as an individual element within the composition, allowing the final blend to capture depth, structure, and complexity. This approach enables the wine to express multiple dimensions of Sonoma terroir within a single bottle, reflecting variations in soil, climate, and exposure across the region’s diverse landscape.

The winemaking process is equally meticulous. The red wine undergoes an extended aging program designed to build integration and longevity. The wine spends time aging in barrel before moving into custom cement vessels, followed by additional bottle aging prior to release. This layered maturation process allows the wine to develop texture, balance, and complexity while preserving its freshness and structure.

Aperture Cellars continues to earn historic recognition for its wines. The 2021 Farrow Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon became the first Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon to receive a perfect score from Wine Enthusiast, while the 2020 Del Rio Cabernet Sauvignon earned a 100-point rating from critic Jeb Dunnuck, marking the first Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve that distinction.

Beyond the cellar, Katz’s influence extends into philanthropy and culture. Through wine donations and custom experiences he has helped raise more than $5.8 million for charitable organizations and currently serves on the board of the SommFoundation, supporting education within the wine and spirits industry.

With more than two decades of experience spanning harvests across four continents, Jesse Katz continues to push the boundaries of modern winemaking. The return of Aperture’s Collage with the 2023 vintage reflects the winery’s core philosophy that great wine is not simply produced annually but crafted only when nature, artistry, and precision come together to create something extraordinary.