Fates' Lieutenant Wines
Get the Dirt from owner/winemaker Jeff Wooledge
“We harvest at optimal ripeness to preserve vibrancy and balance, aiming for moderate alcohol and bright acidity. Our approach emphasizes native yeast fermentation, gentle maceration, minimal sulfites, and no additives—letting the wine speak without interference.”
What was your first vintage year? Our journey began in 2020, when Fates’ Lieutenant made its first Pinot Noir from Sonoma County’s fire-struck vintage. In 2021 we established ourselves in Santa Barbara County, continuing to craft wines there every year since.
How many cases do you make per vintage? We make around 200 cases per vintage.
Do you have a Tasting Room? No tasting room, but we can host tastings at the winery by appointment.
What wine/grape made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery?
Grape: Pinot Noir! It’s captivating, beautiful, and seductive.
What varietals do you work with? Which varietal/wine is your favorite to make?
We’re working primarily with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and hoping to expand with Sauvignon Blanc and Rhone reds in the future. Pinot Noir will always be our favorite because it’s just so darn pretty!
We harvest at optimal ripeness to preserve vibrancy and balance, aiming for moderate alcohol and bright acidity. Our approach emphasizes native yeast fermentation, gentle maceration, minimal sulfites, and no additives—letting the wine speak without interference.
What vineyards do you source from?
Our program emphasizes organic, biodynamic, and sustainable farming practices. We are fortunate to source fruit from amazing vineyards in Santa Barbara County including Groundstar and Hines Mail Road. In the past we’ve had the opportunity to work with Duvarita and Yellow Foxtrot, as well as a bit of fruit from Santa Maria Valley.
Showcasing cool-climate, coastal vineyards, our approach emphasizes natural farming practices to reveal true character of place. Inspired by the sea, our wine program channels its clarity, depth, and movement. Each bottle is a tribute to the remarkable lands and people who nurture them.
What type of oak treatment do you use?
We use neutral French oak for our wines. This gives gentle, subtle oak characteristics that let the fruit and farming shine through.
What do you love about your winemaking region?
There’s something extraordinary about Santa Barbara County. The east–west orientation of its mountains, the interplay of fog and sun, the gentle hills, and the warmth of its people all converge to make it one of the finest places in the world to grow and craft wine.
What’s the story behind your winery name / label?
Fate’s Lieutenant is an excerpt from Moby Dick, and I joke that wine is my great white whale! We lean into the mythology of the Fates’ – ancient goddesses of destiny who spun and wove the threads of human life. The label is the thread of Fate – taking inspiration from an Elihu Vedder painting, The Fates Gathering in the Stars from 1887.
What’s the one thing you wish someone had told you about the wine business before you started your own winery?
You have to be a little crazy to start a winery!
What’s so great about being small? What can you do as a small winemaker that wouldn’t be possible for larger wineries?
Being small allows us to have complete control over all the decisions, and direct connection with every step of harvest and production. It enables a level of care and attention that maximizes the quality of the wine. Larger size and scale can sometimes dilute individual focus and attention.
How do you view the future in the wine industry for small-lot winemakers?
The future for small-lot winemakers is both challenging and full of possibility. Large conglomerates continue to acquire land and vineyards, narrowing opportunities for independent producers. At the same time, tastes and consumption patterns are shifting. We believe that small wineries like Fates’ Lieutenant will endure by connecting with those who value the joy and discovery found in hand-crafted, artisanal wines.
Do you ever get tired of drinking your own wine?
It’s kind of like having children – there’s always something new to appreciate each year. With only five vintages in the books, Fates’ Lieutenant is relatively young and we’re just beginning to see the evolution of our wines as they age in the bottle. It’s such a pleasure to taste the wines periodically and take those learnings into the next vintage.
If you could choose another wine region to work in, what would it be?
We’ve always loved coastal influence on vineyards, and are big fans of Sonoma Coast. That said, working in Burgundy would be an incredible opportunity!
For more information about Fates’ Lieutenant, please visit their website or follow them on Instagram.