It all started with the wine - a passion to produce single varietals that are vibrant and fresh, from carefully sourced vineyard sites. The inspiration was found in the truth that wine is a perfect reflection of time & place… the climate & season, the site & study, and that moment you share a bottle with friends & family.

Jamey Whetstone moved out of Napa Valley from his home in South Carolina to manage Mustards Grill in 1996. Simply captivated by the community, lifestyle and culture of wine country, he found himself quickly growing roots. By 1998, he had begun his winemaking education at Turley Wine Cellars where he would remain in his apprenticeship until 2005. During that time, he spent a summer sabbatical working for the Seysses Family at Domaine Dujac in Morey-Saint-Denis and laid the groundwork for Whetstone Wine Cellars in 2002.

LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing is California's original sustainable viticultural program. This program truly began from the ground up, with grape growers deciding it was important for the future of the Lodi region. Our certification process is rigorous, based in science, voluntary and third party accredited and audited. LODI RULES certified growers make up an innovative community with a history and commitment of farming quality winegrapes through the implementation of viticulture practices that balance environmental, social and economic goals. LODI RULES is designed to communicate their commitment to sustainable agriculture to wineries and the general public.

CINSAULT

time
7:02:50 am ǀ 2016-07-14 ǀ thursday

place
stono river ǀ johns island ǀ south carolina
32.778197° N , -80.094177° W

john duckworth ǀ  "my favorite spot off river road where i return regularly to climb down a bluff on the side of the road in my hip-waders and walk out into the marsh with my camera gear to document the changing color of the lowcountry marsh."

bechtold vineyard ǀ lodi 2017
5 barrels

750ml ǀ 12.8% alc. by vol.

ZINFANDEL

time
8:33:48 pm ǀ 2009-06-16 ǀ tuesday

place
church creek ǀ johns island ǀ south carolina
32.714738° N , -80.091287° W

john duckworth ǀ "church creek divides johns island, sc from wadmalaw island, sc. it's a favorite spot for local fishermen to drop their lines in the water from the bridge which was named after essau jenkins - a local civil rights leader who was friends with martin luther king jr. and a powerful man himself. i climb down under the bridge to capture the sunset, creating ripples with my feet as i wade into the water."

suss vineyard ǀ lodi 2017
12 barrels
95-year old head trained vines farmed by markus bokisch

750ml ǀ 14.3% alc. by vol.

GRENACHE

time
7:02:50 am ǀ 2014-04-04 ǀ tuesday ǀ sunrise on april fool's day

place
stono river ǀ johns island ǀ south carolina
32.725356° N , -80.0098325° W

john duckworth ǀ "little known public access to the stono river that is an all-time favorite of mine for watching the sunrise. hidden at the end of burden creek road, a dirt road lined with a beautiful live oak canopy, this pot never ceases to inspire. as i walk into the water in my hip-waders, it feels like a baptism every time. incredible way to start the day."

"el jamon" ǀ lodi 2017
7 barrels
farmed by markus bokisch

750ml ǀ 14.2% alc. by vol.

MOURVEDRE

time
8:26:44 pm ǀ 2013-06-22 ǀ saturday

place
kiawah river ǀ johns island ǀ south carolina
32.601938° N , -80.131139° W

john duckworth ǀ "this particular evening timed sunset with an astronomical high tide caused by a super moon. the foreground in this image is normally marsh grass, but the tide covered it all and allowed me the luxury of 'walking on water'. looking out over the kiawah river, the water was so smooth it reminded me of mercury."

sheldon hills vineyard ǀ lodi 2017
3 barrels
farmed by markus bokisch

750 ml ǀ 13.6% alc. by vol.