First let me add the caveat that I consider Craig a good friend(but I would never recommend wines made by a friend if they weren’t really good.).
For those of you who love Chenin Blanc, Craig Haarmeyer is putting out some stellar examples. In past vintages / releases he (along side his family) have put out a methode champenoise, pet-nat, stainless steel non-ml, neutral barrel, and an amazing own rooted, head trained 40yr + example from Aparicio Vineyard.
Pascaline Lapeltier called his Pet Nat one of the best if not the best Pet Nat she’s had outside of France and asked that he get some cases out to New York. Jon Bonne had him in his top winemakers to watch a couple of years ago as well.
Personally I’m partial to his Aparicio Chenin (very tiny production from just a few rows.) it is super interesting with classic lanolin, sheeps wool, and some oxidative funk. Without reservation I would say it’s the best CA Chenin I’ve had (and I’ve had a significant amount.)
He also makes fantastic, thought provoking Zinfandels, Syrahs, Rieslings, and more. His reds are on the prettier side of the grapes (if you value ripeness these probably aren’t in your style,) but still with the core fruit you’d want/expect.
The wines are well priced (I think he uses the same approach as his buddy, Tegan.) His current release to his mailing list has three wines all priced at $17/ btl. A young vine partial ML Chenin that used a combo of stainless, neutral barrel, and egg shaped tank. A 2016 whole cluster non ML Riesling from Wirz. And a 2015 skin contact full ML Riesling from Wirz. I haven’t had any of the new release wines so I can’t give any notes.
You can read more at streyvineyards.com if you are so inclined. But I’d say if you like the wines from Forlorn Hope you’d be into a lot of what Craig is doing.
Lots more I could write, but just wanted to pass along some info to the board.