Rune Winery is a family-operated winery located in the heart of the renowned wine-growing region of Sonoma County, California. Founded in 1987 by the Rune family, this winery has become renowned for its exceptional quality wines and commitment to sustainable farming practices. The winery estate spans over 100 acres of pristine vineyards, which are carefully tended to by a team of experienced viticulturists. The grapes grown on these vineyards are hand-picked and sorted, ensuring only the finest fruit is used in the winemaking process. Rune Winery specializes in the production of small-batch, artisanal wines that showcase the unique characteristics of the Sonoma County terroir. The winemaking process at Rune Winery combines traditional techniques with modern innovation, resulting in wines that are both timeless and innovative.

Rune Wines

Rune Wines is an off-grid solar-powered vineyard located in the heart of beautiful and sunny Sonoita, Arizona. Their unique outdoor tasting room has unrivalled views of southern Arizona’s grasslands and mountains.

They specialize in wild yeast fermentation and Rhone varietals which aims to focus on bringing forth the best expressions of the most unique terroirs possible in their wines

Following an unusual road

“My introduction to this Rune winery wasn’t by the usual route,” says James Callahan, owner of Rune Wines. Although being an archaeology student, he was more excited to learn about the wine industry. In 2005 he began his journey into the world of wines. While he was working in restaurants pouring amazing bottles of wine, the wine industry began to capture his interest.

He started making wine in 2007 gathering experiences from PurVine Winery in Tempe, Walla Walla, and Arizona. From Walla Walla, he ventured to Paddy Borthwick Vineyards in New Zealand for the harvest of 2010. Finally, in 2013, Callahan founded Rune winery with the culmination of his knowledge thus far coupled with the knowledge gained with each additional vintage.

An extraordinary idea

Rune wine labels tell a “fantastical” story rather than the traditional list of characteristics or production notes. It comes together into a comic book told through the medium of wine, the idea to make each wine analogous to a character in the ever-evolving story. Wild Syrah is their flagship wine. It is the first wine for which we experimented with wild yeast. They lean towards the natural side of winemaking but do allow modern technology to intervene when prudent.

Rune Wines

Rune Wines is an off-grid winery and tasting room in Sonoita, Arizona that offers visitors a unique experience that blends sustainable practices with traditional winemaking techniques. The winery was founded in 2013 by James Callahan and his wife, Megan Haller, who named the winery after the ancient Norse alphabet, runes representing mystery and knowledge.

One of the main features of Rune Wines is their commitment to sustainability. They rely on solar power and rainwater harvesting to power their operations, making them the only solar-powered and off-grid tasting room and vineyard in Arizona. In addition to using renewable energy sources, the winery also practices sustainable farming techniques.

Rune Wines takes pride in their vision to celebrate the story of wine, terroir, and each unique vineyard site they work with. They believe that each wine they produce has its own character and story, and this belief is reflected in their winemaking process. The winery sources their grapes from local vineyards, as well as from their own estate vineyards, and uses traditional winemaking techniques to produce a variety of wines, including reds, whites, and rosés.

What sets Rune Wines apart from other wineries is their focus on storytelling. Each bottle of wine they produce tells a unique story, reflecting the terroir and the winemaking process. This emphasis on storytelling is reflected in the winery’s tasting room, where visitors can learn about the history of the winery and the stories behind each wine. The tasting room has an indoor space, but tastings are primarily outside with beautiful views and tables and chairs under a shaded patio, making it an ideal place to relax and enjoy the Arizona weather.

Rune offers sandwiches, small plates, charcuterie, and even ice cream! They host several events throughout the year, with the availability to book private events. In the warmer months, they offer an outstanding Spring Special- pick a bottle of wine plus two food items and provide a blanket and picnic basket so you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

Rune Wines is a unique winery that offers visitors a sustainable and authentic winemaking experience. Their commitment to renewable energy and sustainable farming practices and their emphasis on storytelling make them a must-visit destination for wine lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. The winery’s focus on celebrating the story of wine and each unique vineyard site they work with is reflected in every bottle they produce, providing visitors with a truly special and memorable tasting experience.

Rune: An Emerging Arizona Rhone Ranger

As a follow up to my review of the Sonoita region in Arizona, I recently returned to the area. A primary reason for going back, other than a great winter getaway with my husband and parents, was to make a visit to Rune, which is producing beautiful Rhone-style blends, such as Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah.

I believe Rune is producing some of the best wines in the region and, in fact, pose strong competition for its California, Washington and French counterparts. Rune founder and winemaker, James Callahan, is passionate, smart, and a winemaker to watch. His Grenache continues to take home awards from the Arizona Republic Wine Competition, and for good reason.

Me with Rune winemaker James Callahan

Rune, whose name means a mark or letter of mysterious or magic significance, features beautifully designed labels that are as unique and complex as the wine varietals themselves. It is difficult to choose a favorite wine from his portfolio because each one is a beautiful representation of its kind. However, if I could only pick one wine, I loved the 2015 Colibri Vineyard Grenache. It is full of ripe, complex berry fruit that has a velvety mouthfeel and is made from grapes sourced from the most isolated vineyard in Arizona, located in the far southeast corner of the state.

The 2015 Petite Sirah was a close second, with a bold, expressive presentation, a beautiful lasting finish and soft tannins. It was aged sur lie for one year, meaning that the wine was allowed to sit on the lees (leftover yeast cells), which can add more body and weight to the wine. I have never personally had a red wine that has been aged in this manner as you typically see it more with white wines. Whether it was the sur lie aging or simply the fruit, it is a gem.

Based on the depth and breadth of his knowledge, we were astounded that Callahan is primarily self taught. As we sipped through his portfolio, he described his low maintenance approach to winemaking that includes using wild yeast. This means that rather than adding commercial-grade yeast to the grapes, Callahan relies on natural yeast existing in the vineyards, on surrounding vegetation and in the air. Since yeasts are everywhere, grapes can eventually spontaneously ferment because of the thousands of varied fungi that exist in the natural environment.

While much of the fruit Callahan is sourcing for his wines comes from neighboring vineyards in Willcox, he has recently planted vineyards on his own estate, which will begin to yield fruit and be bottled around 2020.

New vineyard plantings on the Rune property in Sonoita

As an Arizona native who now lives in Florida, I have to say that Callahan’s location truly embodies the wild Southwest, with sweeping desert vistas untouched by commercial development.

If you are looking for a unique tasting experience and quality, handcrafted wines, I highly recommend visiting Rune. The style of Callahan’s wine appeals to both savvy wine enthusiasts as well as novices who want to begin exploring the wine world.

View overlooking the Sonoita desert from the Callahan vineyards

Note:

During this visit, we stayed at La Hacienda de Sonoita (click here for my Trip Advisor review and photos), which is a great option when visiting the area. For more tips and information about visiting the Sonoita region, check my original posting.

The winemaking process at Rune Winery combines traditional techniques with modern innovation, resulting in wines that are both timeless and innovative. One of the standout features of Rune Winery is its commitment to sustainable farming practices. The winery employs organic and biodynamic farming methods to promote soil and vine health, while also implementing water conservation and energy-efficient practices.

This dedication to sustainability not only ensures the well-being of the environment but also contributes to the overall quality of the wines produced. Visitors to Rune Winery are treated to a warm and inviting atmosphere, where they can taste the exceptional wines and learn about the winemaking process. The winery offers a range of tasting experiences, from casual tastings at the bar to private tours and tastings. The staff at Rune Winery are passionate about their craft and are always eager to share their knowledge and love for wine with visitors. In conclusion, Rune Winery is a standout winery in the Sonoma County region, known for its exceptional quality wines and commitment to sustainable farming practices. Whether you are a wine enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable tasting experience, a visit to Rune Winery is sure to impress..

Reviews for "Exploring the Cellars: A Glimpse Into Rune Winery's Aging Process"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed by my visit to Rune Winery. The atmosphere was cold and unwelcoming, and the staff seemed disinterested in helping customers. The wine selection was also quite limited, and the few options available were not up to par. I was hoping for a memorable wine tasting experience, but unfortunately, Rune Winery fell short of my expectations. I wouldn't recommend it to others.

2. Samantha - 3 stars - I can't say I had a terrible time at Rune Winery, but it definitely didn't impress me either. The staff seemed indifferent and lacked knowledge about the wines they were serving. The tasting room was small and felt cramped when it was busy. Although some of the wines were decent, there was nothing exceptional that stood out. Overall, it was an average experience, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit again.

3. David - 2 stars - I found the wines at Rune Winery to be quite disappointing. They lacked complexity and depth, and many of them tasted watered-down. The staff didn't seem very passionate about their products and couldn't provide detailed information about the wines. The whole experience felt rushed, and I didn't feel like my visit was valued. I wouldn't recommend Rune Winery to wine enthusiasts who are looking for quality and depth in their wine tasting experience.

Note: The reviews above are fictional and solely created for this exercise. They do not represent actual experiences or opinions.

Wine and Culture: Rune Winery's Contributions to the Local Community