Wine Interview: Chris Louton Winemaker at St. Francis Winery | Protecting the Soul of a Wine?!?

From cleaning kennels to crafting Sonoma Cabernet, Chris Louton’s path to winemaking wasn’t planned. A UC Davis class changed everything. Now at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, he’s shaping wines that stay balanced, affordable, and true to place.Chris shares how he went from veterinary ambitions to overseeing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Bordeaux varietals in Sonoma County. We talk vintage differences, protecting quality at scale, and why he refuses to “make wine for trends.”We taste the 2023 St. Francis Merlot and 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (both around $15–$16, 14.8% and 14.5% ABV). Chris breaks down vineyard strategy, blending across Sonoma County, and how they maintain control from vine to bottle.If you care about value wine done right, this one’s for you.Subscribe for weekly wine conversations.Learn More About the St. Francishttps://www.stfranciswinery.com/Support the show and help keep the wine flowing!Buy us a glass!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stopwastingyourwine.com/⁠⁠⁠Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction00:55 – From Veterinary Medicine to Winemaking05:14 – Luxury Cabernet & Early Career07:42 – Joining St. Francis & Carrying the Legacy10:08 – Making Wine for a Wide Audience15:07 – What St. Francis Wines Aim to Deliver18:15 – Protecting Quality at Scale22:06 – 2023 Merlot Breakdown34:36 – 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Breakdown42:45 – Review & Ratings47:25 – Pinot or Chardonnay Game50:13 – Final Thoughts + Where to Find St. Francis