2021 Scythian Wine Co. The Scythians Red
2021 Scythian Wine Co. The Scythians Red
Region: Cucamonga Valley < California
Grapes: 50% Zinfandel, 50% Mission
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Dry farmed, organic/biodynamic + OWN ROOTED vineyards on sandy granite soils; fermented whole cluster in open-top neutral fermenters, then rested in old French oak barrels; bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal added SO2; 12% ABV; 100 cases
- Historical Cali red blend from LA County!
- Another project from former star sommelier Raj Parr turned regenerative farmer/natural winemaker
- Scythian Wine Co. is Raj's project to rehabilitate 100+ year old vineyards on virgin soils (no sprays or chemicals ever) around LA
- From super old vines in San Bernardino, Ontario + Jurupa Valley -- Inland Empire juice, baby!
- Hibiscus, rose, pomegranate, and Maraschino cherry with subtle cinnamon, clove, and lavender
- Opaque mauve in the glass, super light and pretty
- CHILLABLE RED
More about Scythian Wine Co.
Scythian Wine Co. is a new project from sommelier-turned-vigneron Raj Parr that highlights the nearly lost viticultural heritage of Los Angeles. Before prohibition, the city was the center of the California wine industry, producing highly regarded wines from varieties like Palomino, Mission, Garnacha Tintorera and Zinfandel planted on sandy soils. A few of these own-rooted, dry-farmed, vineyards endure, largely due to the stewardship of the Galleano family. With a few collaborators, Raj Parr started exploring, then rehabilitating, some of the most interesting plots of these vines in 2019. The vineyards are relics, sandwiched between warehouses, corporate headquarters, neighborhoods and highways around Los Angeles County. The vines are almost all over 100-years-old, and none of the vineyards have ever been treated with pesticides, fungicides, or even sulfur or copper. From these marvels of endurance and survival, Raj makes low-intervention wines in a small cellar near Boyle Heights, working with minimal additives and neutral vessels. The Scythian Wine Company wines are a fascinating opportunity to taste a fundamentally different side of the history of California wine.