2013 Old World Winery Abundance

Region: Sonoma < California

Grapes: Muscadelle, Abouriou, Zinfandel, Mondeuse Noire, Trousseau Gris, & Chasselas

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Biodynamic farming, dry-farmed; 120 year-old vineyard on iron-rich volcanic soil; whole-cluster fruit is stomped then transferred to one ton insulated bins for outdoor fermentation then aged 2 years in French oak sur lie, then bottled unfined/unfiltered with zero added SO2; 12.9% ABV; x cases

Winemaker: Darek Trowbridge

Darek is one of the OG Cali natural winemakers, having made low-intervention wine in Sonoma for 20 years, way before it was a thing.  In fact, he named his winery ‘Old World’, because he’s all about a return to the old-world methods of his grandfather Lino Martinelli (of Martinelli wine/cider fame), who started making wine in the early 1900s, with no technology or chemicals.  Derek adds nothing to the wine except a minimal amount of protective sulfur before bottling. He has no press, just his feet (and the feet of his friends who respond to his cattle call for help) to stomp the grapes. He uses no temperature control or additives of any kind, including sulfur. This is his field blend of 6 grapes, including some gnarly old Arbouriou (an obscure French grape, and the only known planting in the US) that he co-ferments for this wild, earthy, plummy, peppery blend. It is somehow rich yet light on the palate, lifted and exotic, California sunshine and old-world restraint. In our opinion, Darek is one of California’s top winemakers – and perhaps the best kept secret in the state. He’s also one of the nicest people we know. For a Cali wine of this pedigree and quality with 5 years of bottle age to be priced under $50 is insane. It’s a little pricier than we usually do in the mixed case selections, but this is such a special bottle we wanted you all to have a chance to try it. Because small guys like Darek need exposure and your support to keep doing what they do. Fall in love, reorder, win win!