The Beauty Of Being An Outcast: Jolie-Laide

Jolie-Laide is based in a Sebastopol winery where Scott & Jenny Schultz make only 500 cases of wine a year under his own label. The name Jolie-Laide translates loosely to “Pretty-Ugly”, but the more you get the know the wines it is a term of endearment as he carefully crafts some grape varieties that don't take center stage in most wine cellars and lists.

 

Rodnick Farm Mélon de Bourgogne 2019 $26.99

Sourced from the historic Rodnick Farm in Chalone, planted by Richard Graff in 1985, these vines were originally thought to be Pinot Blanc. This iteration of Melon, with aromas of papaya, preserved lemon, balsa wood, and fresh sourdough bread. The palate is focused but fleshy, showing Asian pear and crushed oyster shells, leading to a soft and subtle finish. If you've caught the Loire bug you should definitely check this out!

 

Rosewood Vineyard Valdiguié Rosé $24.99

Old Vine Valdiguié (circa 1940’s) organically grown in the ‘Redvine Series’ sandy clay loam soils of the Buddha Dharma Vineyard, City of 10,000 Buddhas in Ukiah. Picked early to preserve acidity and whole cluster pressed to a combination of stainless, concrete and neutral oak for spontaneous fermentation and subsequent six month elevage.Bright bitter orange and grapefruit citrus, strawberry, fennel with a Campari-like quinine appeal.

 

Barsotti Vineyard Gamay 2019 $29.99

The Barsotti Vineyard is at 2800' elevation in the Sierra Foothills. The soil is decomposed granite, mirroring what you would typically find in the Cru Beajolais villages in France. The clusters are left whole to encourage carbonic maceration, giving the wine a lift in aromatics. If you're on the Cru Beaujolais train (as most people are) do yourself a favor and check this wine out!

 

Shake Ridge Grenache Blend 2018 $38.99

Shake Ridge is a diverse 46-acre vineyard nestled about 1,750 ft. up in the Sierra foothills, planted, cared for, and meticulously farmed by the legendary Ann Kraemer. Each little parcel has a different slope, aspect, and soil profile creating many unique microclimates within the same vineyard.

 

Halcon Vineyard Syrah 2018 $45.99

Halcon is an extraordinary, rocky site at 2500 ft in the Yorkville Highlands. High elevation, cold coastal breezes, extreme low vigor soils and dense plantings converge to grow an enigmatic style of Syrah mostly unknown in California. Dramatic conditions constrict the sugar accumulation meaning we pick later but at a lower brix level--preserving natural acidity. Easily one of the best North Rhône-style Syrahs produced in California.