Reimagining Tradition:
A Deeper Dive into
Crafting a Future Beyond Sulfites
At Caelestis Cellars, winemaking is both an art and a science. Nestled in Portland, Oregon, our boutique winery is devoted to crafting wines that capture the true spirit of each grape, the character of our terroir, and the care that goes into every small-batch vintage.
But as every winemaker knows, the path from vineyard to glass is a delicate one. Wine is alive—it evolves, it breathes, and without protection, it can easily lose its brilliance to oxidation, spoilage, or fading flavor. For centuries, winemakers have turned to sulfites to preserve those precious qualities.
At Caelestis, we honor that tradition—but we also believe innovation has a place in the cellar.
Sulfites: The Traditional Guardians
Sulfites—compounds containing sulfur—occur naturally in grapes, but winemakers often supplement them at precise stages of production. Their role is twofold:
Antioxidant Protection – Sulfites prevent oxidation, a chemical process that can transform vibrant fruit aromas into flat, brown, or stale flavors. Oxidation can also strip wine of its bright color, leaving reds dull and whites golden-brown.
Antimicrobial Defense – Yeasts and bacteria, if uncontrolled, can create off-flavors or even spoil the wine entirely. Sulfites inhibit unwanted microbial activity, ensuring the wine develops as intended.
At Caelestis Cellars, we use sulfites with care, applying them sparingly yet strategically. They are added after fermentation to stabilize the wine’s structure, during aging to preserve integrity, and before bottling to ensure longevity in the bottle. This restrained, artisanal approach allows us to protect each wine while maintaining the purity of its flavors—from the crisp minerality of a Chehalem Mountain Pinot Gris to the layered complexity of a Horse Heaven Hills Syrah.
Exploring Nature’s Own Protector: Terpenes
While sulfites have long been the standard, today’s wine drinkers are more curious than ever about what’s in their glass—and many are looking for wines made with fewer additives. That curiosity inspired us to look to nature for an answer.
Our team has been researching terpenes—the aromatic compounds found in grapes, citrus, herbs, and countless other plants—as a possible natural alternative to sulfites. Emerging studies show that terpenes have both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, meaning they can help protect wine from oxidation and spoilage naturally.
Over the past few years, we’ve been trialing our own unique terpene formulations right here at Caelestis. The results have been nothing short of exciting.
A Breakthrough Vintage: The 2024 Viognier
Our 2024 Viognier is the first wine we’ve released using this innovative terpene-based stabilization process—and it’s already turning heads. Renowned wine reviewer Paul Gregutt, from The Northwest Wine Guide, wrote in his October 2025 Substack review,
“This is one of the finest Viogniers in my experience.”
He awarded it 96 points, a stunning validation of years of patient experimentation and blending science with craft.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Wine Protection
We’re not stopping there. Over the next few years, we’ll continue our research with red varietals, studying how terpene formulations impact microbial stability, acetic acid formation, color retention, and—of course—flavor and aroma.
Our goal is to develop formal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that can be applied across red, white, and rosé wines. Once perfected, we plan to share these findings widely—inviting other wineries to explore this natural, sustainable path toward wine protection.
In time, Caelestis Cellars aims to transition most, if not all, of our production to this terpene-based method. It’s a bold step forward—but one deeply rooted in the same respect for craft and tradition that defines everything we do.
Where Innovation Meets Tradition
For us, innovation isn’t about changing what makes wine special—it’s about protecting it in a way that’s more aligned with nature. By combining scientific curiosity with winemaking artistry, Caelestis Cellars is charting a new course for the future of clean, expressive, and beautifully balanced wines.
When nature gives us everything we need to protect what we love—why not let it?