Two Seyvals | Traditional & Hand-Picked
The Art of the Harvest: One Grape, Two Distinct Paths
At Johnson Estate, we believe that the character of a wine is shaped long before it reaches the bottle. While the terroir of our vineyards provides the foundation, it is the vision of our winemaker, Jeff Murphy, that truly defines the final experience. Jeff is a firm believer that a single grape variety is not a limitation, but an opportunity for exploration.
A perfect example of this is our work with the Seyval Blanc grape. Today, we are pulling back the curtain on two very different expressions of this varietal, shaped by Jeff’s constant pursuit of excellence: our Gold Medal-winning Traditional Seyval and our meticulously crafted 2025 Hand-Picked Seyval.
The Award-Winner: Traditional Seyval
Gold Medal | 2025 New York Wine Classic (93pts)
Our traditional Seyval is a wine that captures the pure essence of the grape. To achieve its signature "snap," Jeff and his team harvest at peak ripeness to ensure a bright, clean energy. This method allows the natural acidity of the fruit to shine, resulting in a gold-standard favorite that remains a cornerstone of the estate.
The Profile: Crisp, citrusy, and aromatic. It is moderately dry and attractively fruity with a delicate character reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc.
The Artisan’s Choice: Hand-Picked & Frozen-Pressed
A Boutique Process for Intense Flavor
While our traditional Seyval is celebrated for its crispness, the 2025 Hand-Picked Seyval Blanc is a testament to Jeff Murphy’s dedication to technical innovation. Jeff never stops exploring how to make our wines the best they can be, and this small-batch vintage is the result of a labor-intensive "boutique" process.
Sunrise Hand-Picked Harvest, September 9th 2025
The journey begins at dawn. Our Johnson Estate Vineyard team meticulously hand-picks the best clusters, placing them carefully into crates to ensure the integrity of the fruit from the very first step.
Photo: Hand-picked grapes waiting to be loaded and frozen
Unlike our standard process, these hand-picked grapes are immediately frozen. Jeff utilizes this freezing process to "lock in" and then later enhance the natural flavors and aromas. By pressing these grapes while frozen and then fermenting the fruit in stainless steel tanks, he preserves a level of fruit intensity that is rarely seen in dry wines. It is a process that requires patience, precision, and a deep understanding of wine chemistry, qualities Jeff brings to every vintage.
The Profile: An intense nose of grapefruit and passionfruit with background notes of guava. On the palate, experience layers of lime, lime zest, and grapefruit, leading into a mouth-watering, citrus-driven finish.
Experience the Difference
The beauty of Seyval Blanc lies in its versatility. Whether you prefer the zesty, award-winning "snap" of our traditional harvest or the concentrated, tropical depth of Jeff’s innovative frozen-press technique, both wines offer a unique window into the craftsmanship at Johnson Estate.
Can’t decide between the judges' favorite and our artisan gem? You don't have to. Grab a bottle of each to host your own comparative tasting at home, and see for yourself how Jeff Murphy turns a single grape into two distinct masterpieces. Our tasting room is open every day of the week.