2019 Accenti 'The Village' Grenache

Region: Mendocino County < CA

Grape: Grenache

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming; old, dry-farmed vines on sandy, clay soils; foot tread then whole cluster fermentation with daily punchdowns; aged in neutral French oak barrels for 10 months; bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal So2; 12.7% ABV; 25 cases

Winemakers: James & Lorenza Allen 

Accenti, formerly known as Thereafter, is the passion project of a lovely young couple, James and Lorenza, who both work day jobs for other wineries but with Accenti are focused on regenerative viticulture and super low intervention winemaking.  Their philosophy is that the land, vines, and wine will exist far longer than we can imagine. They say, "With this in mind, being good stewards of the vineyards and the ecosystems within them is our top priority. Everything else falls into place more easily afterwards."

Accenti means "accents" in Italian (Lorenza is a Piedmont, Italy native), and they like to think of their wines as California with an Italian accent -- meaning subtle, low ABV, food-friendly wines, which we love.  This restraint, along their focus on next-level farming, are unusual things for the Napa/Sonoma regions where they work and source grapes.  This pretty Grenache is light and pretty, starting with the nose (it smells like strawberries!) and finishing with brambly red fruit, anise and cherry. Bright and fresh, especially with a bit of a chill, and gets even better with air, becoming more chiseled and serious as it breathes.   'The Village' makes an excellent, all-purpose red that nearly everyone would enjoy, with food, or without.  Stock up for summer grilling situations.