The Taste

Boysenberry, Pomegranate, Anise

The Science

The Magic

• 2–3 days cold soak 
• Fermented 10–12 days in open-top bins (30% whole cluster)
• Punched down 2–3 times daily to ensure complete fermentation
• Fermented warm to 85°
• Aged for 11 months in French oak (30% new)

The Alchemists

George Troquato, Winemaker
Alejandro Aldama, Cellar Master

The Grape

Widely planted in Southern France, Carignan is also known as Carignano in Italy and Cariñena in Spain. The vines produce wines with bright acid, dark color, and rough tannins. Often used in a blend, Carignan makes for both a great standalone and food wine—especially wines produced from old vines, like our Carignan.

The Land

Sandy Lane Vineyard overlooks the Sacramento Delta near the town of Oakley. Gnarly head-trained vines were planted in the early 19th century and are dry farmed on soils as sandy as any beach, which keeps the canopy and the crop load in balance.

The Season

2016 saw more rainfall than in the previous five years, bringing some relief to an ongoing drought. Temperatures on average were warm, producing grapes that were fully ripe with above-average crop size.