Most Herzog wines begin their journey here in the steel tank room. This room houses tanks ranging in capacity from a few hundred gallons to a massive 65,000 gallons. Some of these tanks are equipped with “jackets” that can cool the contents to slow fermentation when necessary. Upon arrival at the winery, grapes or juice are typically introduced into these steel tanks. Here, they are assessed by our winemaking team and the on-site laboratory to determine the next steps in the production process.

For red wines, the grape skins are left in the steel tanks with the juice for a period to impart color and tannins. Some wines, such as Jeunesse, Late Harvest, and certain Baron Herzog varieties, complete their entire aging process in these tanks. Others, like the Special Reserve Napa and Alexander Valley or Chalk Hill Cabernets, are eventually transferred to barrels for extended aging.

The tanks are connected to sophisticated monitoring systems, allowing the winemaking team to oversee the conditions inside the tanks remotely. This technology enables quick responses to any potential issues, similar to the advanced systems used in our vineyards.

While the steel tank room may not be the most romantic aspect of winemaking, it is one of the most crucial. The tanks play a vital role during a sensitive phase when the juice is vulnerable to a variety of potential problems.