This historic property sits on an elevated bench just north of Calpella, farmed by the Martinson family for 5 generations. The vineyard was originally planted in 1911, then replanted ~50 years ago.

Carignan can easily be an extremely dark, tannic beast - however, with our standard very gentle approach (no pump-overs, small fermentations, hand punch-downs) we are able to turn Beast into a Beauty. This vintage was 50% whole cluster, fermented in small vessel 3/4 ton bins. Fermentation occurs naturally with indigenous yeast, with no additions or cold soak, with two punch downs a day, by hand. Once fermentation is complete, the wine was gently pressed to neutral French oak barrels, without settling, for native ML and 8 months elevage. The wine remained on heavy lees for 6 months, racked twice for bottling, with no fining, filtration, or additions other than a small amount of SO2.

Elegant and aromatic, with a soft structure from 100% whole cluster, perhaps more akin to Cru Beaujolais than Carignan. Juicy, crunchy, and gulpable. Likes a slight chill and a Burgundy glass. Featured in the San Francisco Chronicle in 2019 California wine’s new paradigm: Bright, juicy, translucent reds.