A Table Full of Palates: How the Hewett Family Selects the Final Blends at Rivaura
Before a single bottle is filled at Rivaura Estate Vineyard & Winery, there is a moment where the wine still has options. Different blends, subtle adjustments, and carefully measured components sit on the table waiting to be evaluated. This is when the Hewett family gathers together, glasses in hand, to taste through the many versions that could become the final wine.
Rows of sample bottles and glasses stretch across the table—each representing a slightly different expression of the vineyard. Some versions highlight structure and tannin, others lean toward elegance or aromatic lift. Every blend is poured, discussed, revisited, and debated. These sessions are equal parts technical and personal, combining the science of winemaking with the collective palate of a family that has spent years working the land along the Clearwater River.
Wine, Family, and the Next Generation
What makes these gatherings unique is that they are never just about the wine. The room fills with conversation, laughter, and the everyday rhythm of family life. Babies crawl across blankets on the floor, glasses are refilled, and opinions are shared openly. The youngest members may not yet have a vote in the blend, but they are already part of the tradition.
For the Hewett family, wine has always been about more than production—it’s about legacy. Each generation contributes something different: fresh perspective, years of experience, or simply the reminder that the vineyard is meant to endure far beyond any single vintage.
The Final Decisions Before Bottling
By the end of the session, patterns begin to emerge. Certain blends consistently rise to the top. A little more Petit Verdot here, a touch less Merlot there, perhaps a slightly different barrel component to bring balance. These are the details that ultimately define the finished wine.
When Lane and Vince step into bottling, they don’t carry just their own decisions. They carry the insight, discussion, and collective palate of the Hewett family with them. Every bottle reflects the voices that gathered around that table.
It’s a process that blends precision with tradition—where thoughtful winemaking meets family collaboration.
And long before the cork is placed in the bottle, the wine has already been chosen—together!