Donelan Wines

Genuinely amazing place. The wine is top tier at a reasonable price. Sonny did a great job walking us through their wine process and inspiration. I’m taking out of town gusts here for an authentic winery experience.

The wines are incredible and under priced for the quality. I expect these wines to increase in price as soon as they get discovered so I hesitate to write this review…
For an authentic wine tasting experience, you must come to Donelan! Sonny hosted us and we were blown away by the depth of his knowledge and passion for this wine.
We promised ourselves that we were done purchasing wine, but couldn’t help ourselves at Donelan! Be prepared to be wowed!

Met Joe at the event in Marblehead. His passion for making quality wine can be tasted in each bottle. Tried several of their offering and I have to say, you’ll be hard pressed to find better syrah and pinot noir. The 2010 GSM blend was just as good if not better than what you find in the Barossa Valley (the good stuff we don’t get in the states). The Pinot was better than most Pinot I’ve tried from Oregon.
I’m looking forward to visiting the facility. if you are in the area, this is a must-​try. You won’t be disappointed.

I know these white Rhones are going to be incredible when they eventually get here.
I placed my order three weeks ago, got the phone call from Joe.
Super awesome conversation just like everyone else.
Added a shipping note to ship on the 3^rd of February.
Still no wine… sent email… received another phone call from Tripp.
Said he knew about my shipping note, but that he didn’t hear back from me?
(What the hell was the shipping note for?)
People are crazy about wine. That’s the bottom line. I’ve been flipping out with anticipation to drink these Rhones.
I initially ordered two bottles (whites). They’re very expensive.
I believe it’s always a risk on the buyers part to spend money on wine that you cannot taste. I found Donelan through fluke conversation with another Rhone ranger.
The best vineyards I’ve ever ordered from are very careful about billing; they bill you either the day they ship, or the day before they ship; I find this practice completely acceptable, unless you’re specifically buying «wine futures.»
I fully intend on updating my review after my wine shows up, and will include «the common mans tasting notes.»

4.5 stars
Pax Mahle is considered to be an ultratraditionalist. «We take a very pure approach,» explains Mahle, «one that was more commonplace 100 years ago in France than it is today.»
That approach includes organic farming, foot-​crushing the grapes, natural fermentations and absolutely no fining or filtering. He contends that his style of winemaking is really without a style.
It is also worth noting that their approach to customer service is a throwback to another era as well. Everyone I have ever interacted with has been very personable, genuine and helpful. They always send me a handwritten and thoughtful thank you note after I order wine — and at the holidays.
Mahle used to work as a wine buyer at Dean & DeLuca. After tasting a few thousand wines for his job at D&D, he became convinced that the cool coastal vineyards of northern California could produce his beloved Rhôné style of nuanced, layered Syrah.
I wish their wine were more affordable (and the reason they get 4.5 instead of 5 stars), but still would put them on my short list best producers in California. Although his Syrahs get most of the attention, they also produce great Rhôné-​styled whites as well.