2022 Divergent Vine Clarksburg Malbec

Region: Herring Vineyard < Clarksburg < California

Grape: Malbec

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic, zero-input farming; sandy loam soils inland near a river, with warm days but cool nights; destemmed whole berry ferment in large bins for 7-10 days then spends 14 mos old french oak; bottled unfined and unfiltered, with 15ppm added S02; 12.5% ABV; 75 cases

Winemaker: Aaron Bryan

• Tiny estate run by husband/wife team who relocated from SF to the Sierra Foothill boons to make natural wine
• Drinks more like a Cahors Malbec than the goopy, massive fruity Argentine Malbecs
• Smooth and sexy, with soft tannins and a silky mouth feel

• Dark chocolate and leather at first sip, then opens up to brambly red fruit + plums 
  

Aaron's take on the wine: "I fell in love with Malbec about 12 years ago on a trip to the Mendoza region of Argentina. During that trip, I quickly realized how fun and versatile the variety can be, so when I found this Clarksburg vineyard planted to Malbec in the sandy soils along the Sacramento River, it reminded me of the Luján de Cuyo region just south of Mendoza where Malbec is planted along the sandy banks of the Mendoza region....similar climates, same soils, let's make some Malbec.  I'm glad I did.  The Malbec aged in all neutral French Oak barrels for 15 months presents classic characteristics of blackberry, currant and plumb contrasted with notes of cocoa, coffee, and saddle strap leather, finishing structured with light tannin and bright acidity."

More about Divergent/Conduit:

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 and Divergent Vine wines, Tag + Jug Cider Co., as well as their own Gold Dust Vineyard.