Behind the Bar: The Setting Wines
In the modern landscape of luxury California winemaking, few boutique labels have captured the attention of serious collectors as dramatically as The Setting Wines. Founded by friends Jeff Cova, Noah McMahon, and celebrity winemaker Jesse Katz, the brand was built around a singular core philosophy: crafting site-specific, benchmark wines designed to celebrate life’s most significant moments and settings.
The project made international headlines when a single bottle of Jesse Katz’s 2015 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon fetched $350,000 at a charity auction—setting a world record for the most expensive single bottle of wine ever sold at the time. Yet beyond the record-breaking headlines, The Setting stands as a masterclass in hyper-focused viticulture, precision farming, and world-class winemaking.
The Visionary: Winemaker Jesse Katz
The driving force behind the liquid in the bottle is Jesse Katz, one of the most accomplished and sought-after winemakers of his generation. Katz’s resume reads like a tour through the aristocracy of global winemaking:
Château Pétrus (Bordeaux): Mastering classical French blending techniques, elegance, and soft, velvety tannin structures.
Screaming Eagle (Napa Valley): Learning the meticulous, uncompromising standards required to produce ultra-cult Napa Valley Cabernet.
Bodega Noemía (Patagonia): Exploring ancient vines, natural acidity, and extreme terroirs in Argentina.
Katz brings a modern, scientific precision to the vineyard. By employing aerial vineyard mapping, soil moisture sensors, and micro-block harvesting, he ensures that grapes are picked at the exact moment of optimal phenolic ripeness. In the cellar, this raw fruit is treated with gentle extraction and aged in custom French oak barrels tailored specifically to the tannin profile of each vineyard block.
Deep Dive: Our Featured Pours at Oak And Vine
We are proud to pour two exceptional expressions from The Setting portfolio in our Glendale lounge:
1. The Setting Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma County)
A far cry from mass-market white wines, this newly featured expression elevates Sauvignon Blanc to a true luxury format through Burgundian winemaking techniques.
Terroir & Craft: Sourced from cooler sites in Sonoma County, the fruit benefits from morning fog and warm afternoon sun. Katz utilizes a combination of stainless steel, neutral oak, and French oak barrels during fermentation, followed by extensive bâtonnage (lees stirring).
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Vibrant, high-tone aromas of Meyer lemon zest, white peach, starfruit, and subtle white florals.
Palate: Richly textured with a creamy mid-palate that balances bright, mouth-watering acidity. Waves of pink grapefruit, lemongrass, and crushed flint minerality carry through to a long, clean finish.
Pairing: Exceptional on its own as an aperitif on our patio or paired with our house-curated cheese boards and light flatbreads.
2. The Setting Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
The flagship red that established Jesse Katz’s reputation as a master of Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon.
Terroir & Craft: Sourced from prime benchland vineyards in Alexander Valley, where volcanic soils and warm daytime temperatures create concentrated, small-berried fruit. Aged for 24 months in 100% French oak barrels, allowing the robust fruit structure to integrate seamlessly with refined oak tannins.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Deep, intoxicating aromas of dark cassis, black cherry preserve, graphite, cocoa nibs, and toasted French cedar.
Palate: Full-bodied and remarkably dense. Upfront flavors of ripe blackberry and plum crumble give way to complex layers of espresso, dark chocolate, and sweet tobacco leaf. The tannins are massive yet polished and silky, driving a long, opulent finish that lingers for nearly a minute.
Pairing: A natural partner for rich, savory bites, artisanal charcuterie, or enjoyed as an end-of-evening pour in our upstairs lounge.
Experience Luxury Wine Curation in Glendale
Whether you are looking to explore a glass of world-record winemaking pedigree or simply discover your next favorite Alexander Valley Cabernet, pull up a stool at Oak And Vine.