California is a wine paradise, as evidenced by the sheer volume and quality of wine produced in the state. In 2017, California produced more than 241 million cases of wine, 81% of the United States’ total production, and the fourth largest producer in the world, behind the countries of France, Italy and Spain. That’s a lot of wine, across all categories and varietals, and with so many brands to choose from, there’s always something new and exciting to try. Recently, I received several samples to explore, and overall, found these value-priced wines to be worthy of purchase.
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Farmhouse Natural Wines takes natural farming and winemaking to a new level. Using “Green String Farming”, they go beyond sustainable; no pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers, beneficial insects, hand cultivation and weeding by sheep are just a few of the techniques employed to grow a truly natural bottle of wine. A project of Owner Fred Cline, Soil Manager Bobby Cannard, and Winemaker Charlie Tsegeletos, Green String Farm vineyards, located in Petaluma, is part of the Green String Institute’s mission to grow naturally healthy crops while they improve the earth from which they spring. Their goal is to make wines that allow the grapes to shine, blending the many varietals that thrive in Sonoma County.
Two Farmhouse Natural Wines are produced, Farmhouse White and Farmhouse Red. Farmhouse White, a blend of 41% Palomino, 22% Muscat Canelli, 22% Roussanne, 6% Marsanne, 5% Viognier and 1% Riesling, is a lighter bodied, slightly sweet white, very refreshing with bright acidity and juicy pear, melon, and tropical fruit notes. It’s well-balanced and clean on the finish, enjoyable by itself or with food.
Farmhouse Red, a blend of 39% Merlot, 21% Syrah, 20% Zinfandel, 9% Grenache, 7% Petite Sirah, and 3% Mourvedre, is a rich and juicy medium bodied wine, smooth and balanced with dark cherry and raspberry fruit, with lightly toasted oak highlights. It’s plush and ripe on the finish, balanced with medium acidity, and a very good food wine. Quite the deal, both wines retail for $15, and offer a fascinating taste of how delicious and intriguing natural wines can be.
Two Farmhouse Natural Wines are produced, Farmhouse White and Farmhouse Red. Farmhouse White, a blend of 41% Palomino, 22% Muscat Canelli, 22% Roussanne, 6% Marsanne, 5% Viognier and 1% Riesling, is a lighter bodied, slightly sweet white, very refreshing with bright acidity and juicy pear, melon, and tropical fruit notes. It’s well-balanced and clean on the finish, enjoyable by itself or with food.
Farmhouse Red, a blend of 39% Merlot, 21% Syrah, 20% Zinfandel, 9% Grenache, 7% Petite Sirah, and 3% Mourvedre, is a rich and juicy medium bodied wine, smooth and balanced with dark cherry and raspberry fruit, with lightly toasted oak highlights. It’s plush and ripe on the finish, balanced with medium acidity, and a very good food wine. Quite the deal, both wines retail for $15, and offer a fascinating taste of how delicious and intriguing natural wines can be.
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Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, out of Santa Barbara County, produces wines from three premium vineyards, under three different labels. Toccata is their homage to Italy, a classic Tuscan blend made in the Super Tuscan style. A rich and elegant red, this blend of 50% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Freisa, and 5% Petit Verdot, is structured and well balanced, with red and black fruit, black cherry, leather, earth, and spice with a hint of smokiness to it. It really packs the wow factor, and at $29, is an excellent value.
The Lucas & Lewellen Hidden Asset 2016 is truly a gem, a limited production premium wine that is made from the choicest fruit. This luscious red, 32.5% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 26% Syrah, 9% Petite Sirah, and 2.5% Cabernet Franc, is complex, with raspberry, pomegranate, and red fruit, and a touch of spice and chocolate, while smooth tannins unfold onto a long, silky finish. It’s a stunner, a delight to drink by the glass or with food, and quite the value at $29.
The Lucas & Lewellen Hidden Asset 2016 is truly a gem, a limited production premium wine that is made from the choicest fruit. This luscious red, 32.5% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 26% Syrah, 9% Petite Sirah, and 2.5% Cabernet Franc, is complex, with raspberry, pomegranate, and red fruit, and a touch of spice and chocolate, while smooth tannins unfold onto a long, silky finish. It’s a stunner, a delight to drink by the glass or with food, and quite the value at $29.
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Lucky Rock Wine Co. Pinot Noir County Cuvee 2017 is the inaugural wine of brothers Aaron and Jesse Inman. After working in the wine business for almost twenty years, Aaron and Jesse were inspired to make a wine that reflected their childhood, raised by gold-mining parents who led a nomadic lifestyle, enjoying themselves along the way. Their company, named after one of these gold mines, allows the brothers to bottle an affordable, juicy Pinot Noir from three Central and Northern California vineyards: Sonoma, Monterey, and San Benito. Aromas and flavors of red and dark fruit, spice, and toasty vanilla flesh out a balanced wine, with an easy drinking profile. At $20, Lucky Rock offers value for Pinot lovers, along with a lighter, juicy style.
Most of these wines provide insight into the art of blending, where balance and complexity is achieved while offering a great deal as far as price point. Crafted by smaller producers, these wines are especially good choices for parties and get-togethers, smooth and juicy, vibrant and delicious.