the beginning…
I love sharing Trotter 1/16th wines!
Founded in 2011, Trotter 1/16 Winery is named after winemaker Stephanie Trotter Zacharia, who was one of 16 children growing up in Philadelphia. Stephanie started the company as a passion project after years spent working in tasting rooms, selling wines and apprenticing under veteran winemakers. Today, she seeks out hidden, backyard vineyards, celebrating geographic-specific flavors she expertly pairs with a recipe of barrels to create one-of-a-kind, artisanal wines.
Each Trotter 1/16 Winery vintage is harvested by hand from small, dry-farmed, hand-tended vineyards in Napa Valley and aged in French or American oak barrels for 28 to 33 months. This small-scale, independent winemaker’s Cabernet Sauvignons are sold exclusively online and through the members-only Liquid Art Wine Club.
The Liquid Art Wine Club offers annual shipments of three, six or 12-bottle memberships with either spring or fall delivery. More than just a wine delivery service, this membership offers exclusive tastings with Stephanie at restaurants or virtually, online as well as private dinner parties in members’ homes with Stephanie on-hand to pour and identify the detailed profile of each vintage and other special members-only experiences in venues across the country. You’ll quickly have a new friend in wine country!
Harvest crew of the Flying J’s vineyard 2018 Coombsville, Napa Valley
Watch a video interview with Stephanie Trotter Zacharia conducted by Martin Cody of Cellar Angels
A family affair with husband Ben, son, Sam and Stephanie
the person behind the wine
In 1985, I left Philadelphia, PA en route to Alaska and ran out of money here in Northern California! When I met and married my husband in 1994, he moved me to the top of the Napa Valley, Calistoga. It wasn’t long until I was fully immersed in the wine industry: from the tasting room, to the cellar and becoming Cellar Master then to Apprentice Winemaker, I was graduating the School of Hard Knocks (along with a few courses at U.C. Davis). In 2011, a fourth generation Napa Valley Winemaker - my mentor - said I should do this on my own. Amazingly enough, a small Cabernet vineyard presented itself for me to pick along with my Sista’s of D’Vine (best friends) and Trotter 1/16 Winery was born.
Salud! Stephanie Trotter Zacharia ~ may every sip bring you joy
2014 - Bins Up! Oak canyon Ranch
Why 1/16th ?
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a soft pretzel baker, Tom Trotter (bottom row, left) along with wife Peg (bottom row, right) had sixteen (16!) children. 1/16th!
Stephanie, the only one making wine, is #15 of the 16! Can you spot her?
Each cork for each vintage has it’s own special message on the other side!
Trigger - A great winery dog, 2003-2016