What Are We Planting? Part Two

As California residents, we've always had access to beautiful expressions of popular varietals. Mass-produced Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel were the gateways, but handcrafted wines from Napa to the Central Coast were never too far away. What I didn't know, however, is that wine distributors were protecting us. 

From the moment we moved to the Sierra Foothills, that all changed. We were immediately introduced to varietals that we had never enjoyed before. Powerful reds manicured perfectly by our environment like Hatcher's Alicante Bouschet and Barbera, and unconventional whites like La Folia's Fiano. 

Here in the Sierra Foothills, we must give credit to early pioneers who took a risk planting off the beaten path. Over the last three years, I have come to appreciate the humble, yet pioneering role that our vineyard consultant Stephen Collum has played. Locally he has encouraged small-lot vineyards like ours to take a chance on planting beautiful yet rare varietals that our well suited to our terroir. And that is exactly what we are doing. 

Next up, the reveal.