2022 Conduit Amador County 'Fair Play' Grenache Noir

Region: Fair Play AVA < Sierra Foothills < California

Grape: Grenache Noir

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic, zero-input farming; rocky + volcanic soils on very steep slopes; 50% whole cluster and 50% whole berry fermentaion for 25 days then pressed off into old French oak and aged it 8 months before bottling, unfined and unfiltered, with 15ppm added S02; 12.5% ABV; 62 cases

Winemaker: Aaron Bryan

Aaron has a nontraditional winemaking background. A classically
trained economist, he fell in love with the art and science of
winemaking during his time at UC Santa Barbara.  He continued his
informal wine education (drinking a lot) in New York City, so when he
moved back to California he started making beer and wine out of his
garage in SF's Mission District. Eventually, he met a group of urban
winemakers on Treasure Island and started trading beer for a few
barrels of cellar space, working with our friend Noel of Purity back
in the day. In 2013 he decided to make the leap to full time
winemaker, and has been producing Conduit and divergent vine wines and
Tag + Jug Cider.  In 2014 Aaron met Amy, who was working for a wine
distributor, and they clicked around a shared love of wine and food.
They got married, and Amy now runs the back office operations for the
three brands. In 2020, after many years or sourcing fruit from
California’s Sierra Foothills, Aaron and Amy fell in love with a
beautiful piece of property, vineyard, and winery in the Sierra
Foothills that has now become the home base of Conduit, divergent vine
wines, Tag + Jug Cider Co., as well as their own Gold Dust Vineyard.

We'll let Aaron tell you more: "We think this is the perfect Grenache for Pinot drinkers, bursting with fruit flavors of bing cherries, baking spice, and strawberry fruit roll up, highlighted with cinnamon and white pepper spices.  It's delicious, it's versatile, and we have paired with anything from pizza to duck to grilled chicken, hamburgers, and vegetables...the fresh acidity and light tannin finish would even hold up to red meats like Hanger Steak and Filet Mignon."

Our take?  Pretty much the perfect chillable red for fall-winter!  Light, juicy, a velvety, almost fuzzy mouthfeel, bright fresh fruit leaving tart cherry, cranberry and that addictive cinnamon spice note that we can't get enough of.  STAFF FAVE