We've talked about our warm climate. We've talked about varietals off the beaten path. What we haven't talked about, is what we're going to do with a few tons of grapes. Our guiding principles have been fairly simple: plant something that we enjoy, ensure that our terroir can support it, and find a local winemaker who can make a beautiful expression with it.

We also like a good story. There's a little known grape that has less than 100 acres planted in entire United States; compare that to the widely planted Cabernet Sauvignon which has 90,000 documented acres in California alone. That little known varietal is Charbono. Widely planted in France and Argentina, this red grape has a "cult following" and we hope play a very small part in its comeback.

Despite its popularity overseas, Charbono barely hung on to its footprint in California as growers chose to plant more popular varietals. Further, disease pressure put a strain on the species and there is no commercial supply of Charbono graftings available to purchase today. That's why we're excited to partner with UC Davis' Foundation Plant Services to obtain a small selection of certified clean and healthy, own-rooted Charbono. They'll provide the plant material to a well known nursery this Fall who will in turn, deliver our plants for the 2019 Spring planting for The Vineyard at Springfield.