Zero Gravity Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023, Lodi CA

Deep ruby in hue, Zero Gravity Cabernet Sauvignon offers layered aromas of stewed dark berries, warm vanilla and cedar on the nose. Full bodied with a luxurious and velvety mouthfeel, out of this world flavors of spiced plum, blackberry cobbler and raspberry compote are carried through by a polished finish with pleasant hints of dark fruit and spice.
 
 
So how did we end up with wine in space? In February 2021, Michael David Winery sent four 70ml frozen Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon samples to the International Space Station to investigate the microbial ecology and dynamics of grape juice fermentation in the absence of gravity. Meanwhile, identical samples remained on Earth in an environmental control chamber that mimicked the ISS ambient temperature. When the experiment began, the portions were thawed at the same time, allowing native microbes to ferment. At the conclusion of the experiment, the samples in space experienced CO2 build up, a sign of successful fermentation.

Once the samples arrived back on Earth, they were sent for DNA fingerprinting and DNA sequence matching to determine the number and identification of the different propagations. It was found that the juice fermented in Zero Gravity propagated different species than the sample that remained on Earth. Our team isolated the most successful microgravity-grown yeast strain, a species of Saccharomyces cerevisiae identified as MT965 by Michael David Winery winemaking, to produce Zero Gravity Cabernet Sauvignon. This bottle is a result
of passion, science and exploring a new frontier in wine.