Press
& Scores —
Press
Thrillist
The Best Natural Wines You Should Drink This Summer
Thrillist
11 Women Who Are Changing the Face of Southern California’s Wine Industry
Los Angeles Times
How do L.A. wine shops keep business flowing during a pandemic?
Please the Palate
Celebrating Women Winemakers
Santa Barbara Independent
Women Winemakers Unite for Brunch
KCET
7 Best Small Wine Producers in Southern California to Try Right Now
Voyage LA
Meet Rachel and Michel DeAscentiis of Say When
Wine Enthusiast
The Number of Women Winemakers is Growing, and Fast
Woven Magazine
A New Vintage
Wine Spectator
8 Vivid California Pinot Noirs
Clever LA
Get to Know One of LA’s Youngest Female Winemakers
Vinley Market
Women Wine Makers + Wine Tasting Guide
CRU Podcast
Creating an Authentic Wine Company with Rachel Silkowski
KCET Los Angeles
A Barrel into a Career
Scores
Wine Enthusiast
RASI, Pinot Noir — 2018
93 Points
”Roasted dark cherries, cardamom and star anise make for spicy, fruity entry to the nose of this bottling. The mouthfeel is plush and inviting at first, and then the tannins make a quick stand, ushering in flavors of blistered strawberry and more compelling baking spice.”
Wine Enthusiast
When, Pinot Noir — 2018
92 Points
"Earthy and meaty aromas combine with baked black plum and violet on the dynamic nose of this bottling. The palate runs into slightly sour cranberry and raspberry flavors before the game and sagebrush flavors return, leading into a vanilla-laced finish."
Wine Enthusiast
Stipa, Rosé of Mourvèdre — 2018
91 Points
"A rusty color of red in the glass, this is a hearty take on rosé, starting with beautiful cherry and baking-spice aromas, with a touch of orange rind. There is zip to the sip while richer flavors of nutmeg, vanilla and dried cherry."
Wine Enthusiast
Weird Parties, Tempranillo — 2018
92 Points
”This is a fun and fresh take on Tempranillo, with an equally playful label. Aromas of lavender, boysenberry, potting soil and a touch of telltale leather lead into a palate framed by rounded tannins, a bit more of that earthy leather and a full array of fresh fruit flavors.”
Wine Enthusiast
Sona Vino, Chardonnay — 2018
91 Points
”Riper aromas of apricot and pineapple kick off the nose of this bottling by the husband-and-wife team of Michel and Rachel DeAscentiis. A creamy texture consumes the palate, where white peach and poached apple flavors are cut by lemon juice and finish on vanilla bean.”
Wine Enthusiast
When, Pinot Noir — 2017
91 Points
”Adorned with one of the longest names ever put on an American wine bottle, this clean wine shows soft aromas of pink cherries, red apple and a sharp tang. It's light and taut on the palate with crisp cranberry, clove and an acidity that persists into the finish.”
Wine Enthusiast
Sona Vino, Chardonnay — 2017
90 Points
”Oak-smoke and lemon-blossom aromas are both rustic and precise on the nose of this bottling by young, Los Angeles-based winemaker Rachel Silkowski DeAscentiis. Decent tension frames the sip, which presents flavors of graham cracker, sesame, sea salt and smoked white peach.”
Wine Enthusiast
RASI, Pinot Noir — 2017
92 Points
"Quite light in the glass, this bottling by Rachel Silkowski DeAscentiis offers aromas of red cherry, peanut brittle, raspberry and menthol on the nose. The palate is plump with Bing cherry and more tart cranberry, and dusted with pinches of tarragon and marjoram."
RASI, Pinot Noir — 2016
93 Points
”Big and ripe black fruit is bolstered by sweet thyme, bay leaf and mint on the nose of this powerful bottling by Rachel Silkowski. The wine lands with power and aplomb on the palate, blending star anise, nutmeg and licorice flavors with tangy black plum fruit and a strong acidity to carry it all.”
Jeb Dunnuck
RASI, Pinot Noir — 2016
91 Points
”Coming from the Sta. Rita Hills, the 2016 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is a vibrant, medium-bodied, spicy Pinot Noir that offers lots of red fruits and spring flowers aromatics, bright acidity and a clean, elegant texture on the palate. It's a Côte de Nuits like-effort to drink over the coming 7-8 years.”
Wine Enthusiast
When, Pinot Noir — 2016
91 Points
”Dried alpine strawberry meets with mace and allspice on the nose, while the palate packs tarragon-laced boysenberry flavors alongside shaved licorice and allspice.”
Jeb Dunnuck
When, Pinot Noir — 2016
90 Points
”Also from the Sta. Rita Hills, the 2016 Pinot Noir It Was One of Those Rare LA Days Where There Happened to be a Thunderstorm (that’s a mouthful of a name) was completely destemmed and spent 10 months in 15% new French oak. It has a more rounded, supple profile as well as plenty of red (and some black) fruits, spice and dried underbrush. Medium-bodied, charming, supple and textured, with moderate acidity, drink this pleasure-bent effort anytime over the coming 4-5 years.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
RASI, Mourvedre — 2015
93-95 Points
”Coming from Paso Robles (I'm not sure which vineyard(s)), the deep purple/ruby colored 2015 Mourvedre is a blockbuster that was harvested the last week in October and brought up all in new oak. Rich, textured, full-bodied, sexy and with gorgeous purity, it has tons of plums and spice aromatics, ripe tannin and a great finish. There's a tiny 50 cases made, but it's a special wine.”
Wine Enthusiast
RASI, Pinot Noir — 2014
93 Points + Editor’s Choice
”Winemaker Rachel Silkowski takes cues from her mentor Brian Loring in her debut wine, which is brawny and lavish with nose-ticklingly spicy aromas of cloves and nutmeg laid across black plum, olallieberry and violets. Baked black plum and black peppercorn are lifted by Christmas spices galore, from allspice to dried ginger. It's an attention grabber.”
Prince of Pinot
RASI, Pinot Noir — 2014
93 Points
”A blend of fruit from Kessler-Haak, Clos Pepe and Rancho La Viña vineyards produced by the assistant winemaker, Rachel Silkowski, at Loring Wine Company. Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, this wine sports flamboyant aromas of black cherry, spice and tobacco oak, and delicious flavors of perfectly ripened black cherry and black raspberry fruits clothed in fine grain tannins. Generous on the attack, then building in intensity on the palate, and offering an extended finish with deft integration of oak. This wine really stands out.”
Wine Spectator
RASI, Pinot Noir — 2014
90 Points
”Displays a vivid mix of zesty blueberry and dark berry notes, with touches of cedar, earthy mushroom and dried herb. The elements add up to a complex mix of structured flavors.”