Ironstone Obsession Symphony

Ironstone Obsession Symphony is a 750ml, 12% ABV aromatic white wine from Lodi, California, made from the rare Symphony grape. The 2020 vintage earned a Gold Medal and 96 points at the California State Fair, while the 2022 vintage took Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition — recognition that underscores this wine's consistency across multiple vintages.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12%  |  Origin: Lodi, California (Mokelumne River)  |  Varietal: Symphony  |  Winery: Ironstone Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Ironstone Vineyards is owned and operated by the Kautz family in Lodi's Mokelumne River sub-appellation, where mineral-rich clay and fine sandy loam soils provide ideal growing conditions for aromatic white varietals. Symphony is a distinctive cross between Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache Gris, developed at UC Davis in 1948 by Dr. Harold Olmo. The Kautz family maintains the most significant plantings of Symphony grapes in California, giving this bottling a near-singular identity — very few producers work with the variety at any meaningful scale.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intensely floral on the nose, opening with gardenia and star jasmine before shifting to honeysuckle and white blossoms. The Muscat parentage is immediately apparent in the perfumed, almost intoxicating aromatics.

Taste: The entry delivers ripe peach and pineapple, followed by honeydew melon through the mid-palate. A touch of lychee and ginger spice emerges at the peak, lending complexity to the wine's kiss of sweetness. Honey ties the fruit flavors together without tipping into cloying territory.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering tropical fruit and a soft floral echo. The gentle sweetness fades cleanly, leaving behind a trace of honeysuckle and warm spice.

How to Drink Obsession Symphony

Serve well chilled, between 40–45°F, to let the aromatics bloom while keeping the sweetness balanced. This wine is striking on its own as an aperitif, but it also performs well in wine-based mixed drinks. A White Wine Spritzer with soda water and a lemon twist plays up the floral notes beautifully. A White Sangria built with fresh peaches, ginger slices, and mint takes advantage of Obsession Symphony's tropical core. For a simple warm-weather cocktail, try it in a Wine Cooler with a splash of elderflower liqueur and sparkling water — the Muscat-lineage aromatics pair naturally with elderflower.

Best For

• Introducing a wine-curious friend to aromatic white varietals
• Warm-weather patio sipping or poolside entertaining
• Pairing with spicy Thai or Vietnamese cuisine
• Gifting to a wine enthusiast who values rare and unusual grapes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Obsession Symphony taste like? It delivers ripe peach, pineapple, and honeydew melon flavors with a kiss of sweetness, complemented by floral honeysuckle aromatics and a hint of ginger spice on the finish.

How does Obsession Symphony compare to California Moscato? Both share Muscat lineage and aromatic intensity, but Obsession Symphony is generally less sweet than most California Moscatos and adds complexity through its Grenache Gris parentage, offering ginger spice and honeydew notes that standard Moscato typically lacks.

Is Obsession Symphony good for wine beginners? Its approachable off-dry sweetness and intensely aromatic character make it an excellent starting point for anyone transitioning from sweeter beverages to wine, without being overly sugary.

Where is Obsession Symphony made? It is produced by Ironstone Vineyards in the Mokelumne River sub-appellation of Lodi, California, where the Kautz family farms the largest plantings of Symphony grapes in the state.

What foods pair well with Obsession Symphony? Thai green curry, where the wine's sweetness tempers chili heat; fresh summer rolls with shrimp and peanut sauce; aged Manchego cheese, whose nuttiness contrasts the floral fruit; grilled stone fruit desserts that mirror the wine's peach character; and coconut-based dishes that echo the tropical profile.

What sizes does Obsession Symphony come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Obsession Symphony worth the price? It positions as an entry-level to mid-tier white wine, and its consistent Gold Medal performance across multiple major competitions — including a 96-point score at the California State Fair — suggests strong value relative to its price tier.

Why Obsession Symphony?

Very few wines in California are built around the Symphony grape, and the Kautz family's decades-long commitment to the variety gives Ironstone a near-monopoly on this bottling style. The accolades back it up: a 96-point Gold at the California State Fair, Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, and Gold at the Sunset International Wine Competition across successive vintages. For anyone who finds mainstream Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc predictable, Obsession Symphony delivers a genuinely different aromatic experience rooted in UC Davis grape-breeding history. It is one of the few affordable American whites that can legitimately claim there is nothing else quite like it on the shelf.