Save Me San Francisco Drops of Jupiter Red

Save Me San Francisco Drops of Jupiter Red is a Petite Sirah-based red blend from California's Central Coast, bottled at 750ml. Born from an unlikely collaboration between Grammy Award-winning rock band Train and winemaker James Foster, this wine has earned consistent critical recognition, averaging 86–87 points across multiple vintages on Wine-Searcher's aggregate scores.

Quick Facts: ABV: Varies by vintage  |  Origin: Central Coast, California  |  Style: Petite Sirah-Based Red Blend  |  Winemaker: James Foster

Production & Heritage

Save Me San Francisco Wine Co. was established as a partnership between Train frontman Pat Monahan and winemaker James Foster, with each wine named after one of the band's hit songs. Drops of Jupiter, the flagship red, draws its grapes from California's Central Coast — a region prized for warm days, cool marine-influenced nights, and well-drained soils that allow Petite Sirah to develop deep color and concentrated fruit. The use of Petite Sirah as the backbone of this blend is a deliberate departure from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot base that dominates most commercial California reds, giving the wine a distinctly bold and jammy character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe boysenberry and baked plum, followed by layers of blueberry compote and blackberry seeds. There is a subtle undercurrent of black pepper that adds complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

Taste: On the palate, the wine floods the mouth with juicy boysenberry, mulberry, and red plum. Mid-palate, baking spice and clove emerge alongside a touch of peppery warmth. The texture is opulent and full, with ripe, jammy fruit balanced by enough grippy tannin to prevent the sweetness from tipping into cloying territory — a quality specifically noted by Wine Enthusiast in their review of the 2014 vintage.

Finish: The finish is smooth and medium in length, with silky, supple tannins carrying lingering notes of dark berry and a faint spice echo. It wraps up cleanly, inviting the next sip without heaviness.

How to Drink Drops of Jupiter Red

This wine is approachable enough to enjoy by the glass at a comfortable cellar temperature of around 60–65°F, where its fruit expression is at its most vibrant. Its bold, fruit-driven profile also makes it a natural fit for several mixed wine drinks. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) works here because the wine's inherent jammy sweetness pairs seamlessly with the cola's caramel notes. A Red Wine Sangria benefits from the boysenberry and plum base, which holds up well against sliced citrus and brandy. A simple Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a squeeze of orange lets the fruit shine in a lighter format for warm-weather drinking.

Best For

• Casual dinner parties where an easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing red is needed
• Gifting to Train fans or pop-culture wine collectors
• Introducing red wine to drinkers who prefer fruit-forward, low-tannin styles
• Backyard barbecues and grilled meat pairings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Drops of Jupiter Red taste like? Drops of Jupiter Red is a fruit-forward, opulent red dominated by boysenberry, mulberry, and red plum with accents of baking spice and black pepper. The tannins are silky and soft, making it smooth and approachable.

How does Drops of Jupiter Red compare to Apothic Red? Both are fruit-forward, approachable California red blends aimed at a broad audience, but Drops of Jupiter Red leans on Petite Sirah for its backbone, giving it a darker, jammier berry profile than Apothic Red's Zinfandel-driven character. Apothic Red tends to emphasize vanilla and mocha from oak, while Drops of Jupiter tilts more toward pure dark fruit and spice.

Is Drops of Jupiter Red good for beginners? Yes — its smooth tannins, ripe fruit, and easy-drinking style make it one of the more approachable California reds on the market. It is a strong starting point for anyone moving from white wine or rosé into reds.

Where is Drops of Jupiter Red made? Drops of Jupiter Red is produced by Save Me San Francisco Wine Co. using grapes sourced from California's Central Coast, a sprawling AVA that stretches from Santa Barbara to Monterey counties and is known for producing rich, ripe red varietals.

What foods pair well with Drops of Jupiter Red? Grilled burgers or barbecue ribs complement the wine's smoky spice notes. Pepperoni or sausage pizza mirrors the peppery undertone. A charcuterie board with aged cheddar and cured meats balances the fruit sweetness. Dark chocolate brownies echo the boysenberry and baking spice on the finish. Mushroom risotto provides an earthy counterpoint to the jammy fruit.

What sizes does Drops of Jupiter Red come in? Drops of Jupiter Red is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Drops of Jupiter Red worth the price? Drops of Jupiter Red positions as an entry-level, everyday red blend — its pricing sits in the accessible tier alongside other popular California blends. For what it delivers in fruit intensity and drinkability, it represents solid value in the crowded sub-$15 California red category.

Why Drops of Jupiter Red?

What separates this wine from the sea of California red blends is the choice of Petite Sirah as the primary varietal — a grape that delivers darker pigment, bolder fruit, and a chewier texture than the Cabernet or Merlot base found in most competitors. The collaboration with Train gives the brand a cultural identity that extends beyond the glass, but the wine itself has earned its own credibility, maintaining 86–87 point scores across six consecutive vintages on Wine-Searcher's aggregated reviews. For drinkers who want a fruit-driven, smooth red without complexity that demands deep attention, Drops of Jupiter Red fills the role reliably and with genuine character.