A Tribute to Grace 2014 Santa Barbara Provisor Vineyard

A Tribute to Grace 2014 Santa Barbara Besson Vineyard Grenache

Albini 2014 Russian River Valley Sonoma Merlot

Amplify 2016 Santa Ynez Valley Camp 4 Carignane

Cameron and Marlen Porter share a love for music and wine that reverberates through the entire Amplify lineup, which combine precision, freshness, and deliciousness, exemplified perfectly by this vintage of their Camp 4 Carignane. Bursting with red fruit, fresh and pretty florals, and hints of earth and salt, this Carignane is a versatile delight, served with a chill alongside salads or burgers or steak tartare. Cam and Marlen explain the inspirations for with characteristic charm: "We fell in love with its wild iterations in the Roussillon, though the way we choose to interpret it is inspired equally by Poulsard from the Jura.  As a result, Amplify Carignane is a delicate, lithe, limpid red wine with just a hint of the savage." Ariana Rolich

Amplify NY Santa Barbara Lightworks Merlot

Anthill Farms 2016 Sonoma Coast Campbell Ranch Pinot Noir

Anthill Farms 2016 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Arnot-Roberts 2016 Sonoma County Syrah

Baker Lane 2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Colors

Before starting Baker Lane, Stephen Singer was the longtime manager and wine director at Alice Waters' legendary Berkeley restaurant, Chez Panisse. Named after the street where Singer's vines and home are located, Baker Lane is dedicated to Pinot Noir and Syrah. Colors is Baker Lane's second label, less expensive, but just as well-made -- bold, expressive Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir at a surprisingly affordable price. Rich and ripe red fruit and wild berries, supple earth, with bright acid and impressive complexity in this price range. Highly recommended with seared duck breast, game birds, or vegetable stew. Ariana Rolich

Banshee 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Beckmen Vineyards 2016 Santa Ynez Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Bedrock 2015 Sonoma Alexander Valley Nervo Ranch Heritage Red

Bedrock 2017 California Ode to Lulu Rose

Birichino 2013 Central Coast Besson Vineyard Grenache

The grapes from this vineyard (named after George Besson Sr. and Jr. whose families have lived and tended this vineyard since the 1930s) is fermented with native yeasts, using 15% whole cluster (with the rest destemmed), and racked into neutral barrels, unfined and and unfiltered. This wine envelops the palate with black cherry skin and fruit flavors, and violet, freshly rained earth, and menthol undertones. Despite the lightness and brightness of this Grenache, all the flavors resonate with an understatedly profound intensity. Pair with roast turkey with cranberry sauce or mushroom and herbed stuffing! Jonas Mendoza

Birichino 2014 Central Coast Grenache "Vielles Vignes"

Birichino 2014 Chalone Antle Vineyard Pinot Noir 1.5 L

Birichino 2014 Santa Cruz Mountains Lilo Vineyard Pinot Noir 1.5 L

Birichino 2015 Lodi Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault 1.5 L

Birichino 2017 California Vin Gris

Brick & Mortar 2014 Spring Mountain La Perla Pinot Noir

Situated at an altitude of 1700 feet, La Perla vineyard in Spring Mountain District is a true high altitude site, and a wonderful place to grow pinot noir. Cool air from the Pacific makes it here at night, lending extra acidity and structure to the wine. This is an elegant pinot, cast in a lighter and more graceful mold. The nose is a muted expression of black cherry and spiced plum. Herbal aromas becomes a dark, tea-like character on the palate that accompanies a pleasant surprise: evidence of some tannic grip. While not a powerfully tannic wine in any sense, it has enough to give a sense of order to the mid-palate that allows its fruit, brighter than on the nose, to shine through with the elevated acidity that is a hallmark of this winery. Remains in used French oak barrels for 16 months before bottling unfined and unfiltered. Andrew Farquhar

Broadside 2015 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

Broc Cellars 2015 Mendocino Eagle Point Ranch Counoise

Counoise, here sourced from Eaglepoint Ranch located 1800 feet above the Ukiah Valley in Mendocino, is one of the rarer blending grapes from the Southern Rhone, and is not frequently made into varietal wines. But here Broc Cellars has created a beautiful wine that makes me excited to try and find more of this grape. Native yeast fermentation occurs in 5 ton open-top wood tronique, a tank that slants inward allowing more of the cap to remain in constant contact with the juice. This is followed by twelve months in 600-1200L old German casks. On the nose this Counoise has some dark fruit wrapped in a stylish melange of eucalyptus, sage, and baking spices. One the palate this wine is wonderfully savory, with animal hide, beef jerky, hoisin, and kid leather. Dark in fruit, medium in tannin, this wine is perfect for summer grilling but can be thrown in the cellar for a few years as well. Andrew Farquhar

Broc Cellars 2015 Santa Barbara Cabernet Franc Whole Cluster

Broc Cellars 2015 Sonoma County Zinfandel Vine Starr

This is a fantastic zinfandel. The varietal character remains but the alcohol has been brought to heel and the structure is resoundingly more crystalline than many of the soupier 16% abv offerings on the market. A coiled spring, with an array of black and red berry fruits and still moderately dense with tannin, there is a fine black pepper note on the palate and the finish begins with a burst of red fruit complexity that surprised me. There is a note of funkiness brought to it by the volcanic soils of the two vineyards: Arrowhead in Sonoma and Buck Hill in Russian River. This zin is destemmed, fermented in stainless steel and concrete, and aged for ten months in neutral oak. A great wine on its own, this would be a fine partner to steak, meatball marinara, or blood sausage. Drew Farquhar

Broc Cellars 2016 Alexander Valley Carbonic Carignan

This wine is sourced from the Oat Valley Vineyard in Alexander Valley, which contains 130+ year old vines! The decomposed sandy soil here makes this site phylloxera-proof as well. Planted sometime around 1890, this extraordinarily old vineyard includes, in addition to Carignan, plantings of Palomino, Zinfandel, and Alicante. Thus, this wine's cepage is 85% Carignan, 10% Alicante, 4% Zinfandel, and 1% Palomino. The grapes are then fermented using full carbonic maceration, which, when combined with the crazy concentration from the old vine fruit, makes this wine an exciting and atypical blend of incredibly concentrated depth and bright freshness. Charred meat and bone broth intermingle with pomegranate, strawberry, and bright cranberry flavors on the palate. The general intensity of its flavors is immense, it feels like drinking an entire historical period in one glass. Andrew Farquhar

Cameron 2015 Dundee Hills Saignee of Pinot Noir

To make a Saignée, a small percentage of juice is "bled" off during fermentation of red wines, to balance the ratio of skins to juice, and give more boldness to the resulting wine. The run off juice is fermented separately and yields a rosé that has a considerable amount of color, compared to rosés made by direct press, or with very short maceration times. In one of his "rants " from a few years back about pink wine, John Paul writes that "one should be drawn to the wine by its color, captivated by its elegant aromas, and finally conquered by its texture and lingering flavors." The 2016 Saignée Rose delivers on all counts. It has a lovely rich pink hue, pretty strawberry aromatics, and a fascinating fleshy texture and long finish. A perfect rosé for the fall/winter months! I get the sense from John Paul that he might be getting out of the rosé game soon, as the market that was demanding rosé 4 years ago now seems to him to be saturated with them… so this may be the last time we get a chance to drink the Cameron Saignée. I'd suggest getting a bottle or two and drinking sometime in the next 1-3 years.  Eben Lillie

Central Coast Group Project 2013 Santa Barbara Ballard Canyon Faces Grenache

Central Coast Group Project 2013 Santa Barbara Ballard Canyon Happy Birthday Mourvedre

Central Coast Group Project 2013 Santa Barbara County Twilight Idol Grenache

Clos Saron 2013 California Kind of Blue Syrah Verdelho

Clos Saron 2014 California Lodi Tickled Pink

Cooper Hill 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Cooper Mountain Vineyards started in 1978 when Dr. Robert Gross and his wife, Corrine, planted the first Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in the unique soils of Cooper Mountain in the Chehalem Mountains of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Today, the estate has more than 100 acres  dedicated to organic and biodynamic farming and winemaking. This Pinot Noir is refreshing and ripe, with brambly raspberry and cherry fruit, baking spice, and earthy flavors. Serve with a chill. Jonas Mendoza

Corison, Cathy 2014 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Dashe 2015 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Dashe 2015 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 375ml

Dashe 2016 Dry Creek Valley Enfants Terribles Grenache

Dragonette Cellars 2012 Santa Barbara County Grenache

Drovers 2015 Willamette Pinot Noir

Our love affair is going strong with Drovers Pinot Noir, a collaboration between our friends at Encore Wine Imports and Brad Ford of Illahe Vineyards. Consistently delicious, but always reflective of vintage, Drovers delivers freshness and depth and a terrific price point. In 2015 there is rich dark cherry, crushed berries, earth, cola, and spice, with more density than the 2014 and admirable balance. Ariana Rolich

Edmunds St. John 2014 El Dorado County Barsotti Ranch Syrah

Edmunds St. John 2016 El Dorado County Bone-Jolly Rosé

Steve Edmunds has a way with Gamay, confirmed each year by the energy and depth of his red and rosé Bone Jolly wines. 2016 is light-bodied and  fresh, taut and bright,  with tingly acidity, tart cranberry, juicy sour cherry and citrus, and salty mineral earth. We look forward to every new vintage from Edmunds St. John. Let the adventure continue!  Ariana Rolich

Edmunds St. John 2016 Shake Ridge Ranch El Jaleo

Eminence Road 2015 Finger Lakes Elizabeth's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Eminence Road 2016 Finger Lakes Elizabeth's Vineyard Cabernet Franc

Eminence Road 2016 Finger Lakes Elizabeth's Vineyard Cabernet Franc 1.5L

Eminence Road 2016 Seneca Lake Cab Franc

Est 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Folk Machine 2016 Central Coast Pinot Noir

This is a fresh and delicious Pinot that we would be happy to drink every night (happily, at $21.99, we could also afford to!). Pure fruits of dark cherry, baked strawberry and raspberry, aromas of violets, along with ripe nuances of Madagascar vanilla bean. The different vineyard selections for this vintage include Arroyo Seco & Antle vineyards and offer a satisfyingly gamey, savory contrast to the silky palate and makes this a distinctive new world Pinot Noir well worth stocking up on.

Folk Machine 2016 Mendocino Pinot Noir "Batten Down the Hatches"

Folk Machine 2017 Central Coast Gamay Noir Rose

Ghostwriter 2013 Santa Cruz County Belle Farms Pinot Noir

Belle Farms Pinot Noir is a perennially stunning single vineyard bottling from Ghostwriter, from 1.5 acres at 500 feet elevation, planted in 1999 to Champagne clones, just outside of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA in the foothills of Mount Madonna. We recently learned from winemaker Kenny Likitprakong that Belle Farms was ripped out after the 2014 harvest and is currently planted with broccoli to enrich the soils before replanting (the vineyard had been struggling for years and ultimately failed). 2013 was a gorgeous vintage for these valiant vines, with aromas of dry earth, sweet cherry, birch bark, cardamom, and clove, which swirl onto the palate of crisp cranberry, rich cassis, black raspberry preserves, and spicy citrus oils, with a bold acidic core. This cuvée always needs some air, and flavors evolve on the second day open toward elegant, high-toned fruit with graceful florals and a fresh, salty, mineral layer. An aptly named vineyard! Please decant. Ariana Rolich

Ghostwriter 2014 Santa Cruz Mountains Bates Ranch Cabernet

Haarmeyer Wine Cellars 2014 Calaveras Ghirardelli Vineyard Zinfandel / Folle Blanche

Haarmeyer Wine Cellars 2014 Calaveras Rorick Heritage Vineyard Zinfandel

Idlewild 2014 Mendocino Fox Hill Dolcetto

This is a fascinating 100% Dolcetto from the Fox Hill vineyard in Mendocino county. Whole cluster fermented, these grapes were dumped into large fermenting bins, using pitchforks,  where they were partially foot trodden, lending it more power and a hint of spice and floral characteristics. Native yeast primary and secondary fermentation, basket pressed off the skins, this wine spends ten months in neutral oak before bottling. Tart cranberry fruit, anise, with some baking spice character, it is surprisingly dense as well. The soft fruit of this wine is protected from the elements by more thickly wrapped tannin, with  a fine hushed character of woodsmoke permeating this heavier clothing. This is still Dolcetto, so it is in no way massive, but it has much more breadth than other examples I've tasted. Andrew Farquhar

Idlewild 2014 Mendocino Fox Hill Nebbiolo

Sourced from the Fox Hill vineyard in Mendocino, this Nebbiolo is an intriguing collection of opposites. Light and almost copper colored, the nose shows both classic and recognizably Californian fruit characteristics while still evincing the archetypal Piemontese notes of tar and roses, all blended with some mint, cedar, and finely-grained earth. Light and elegant on the palate, after a moment its deep formal structure is revealed, with the great tannin and remarkable acidity one would expect from this legendary grape. Half the fruit was destemmed and the other half remained whole cluster and was foot trod. Native fermentation was followed by a ninety day sealed maceration. This is what gives this wine its blend of delicacy and power. Two years in neutral oak barrel and one in bottle finish the journey from grape to glass. Elegant now, this wine will develop in interesting ways until at least 2025. Andrew Farquhar

Idlewild The Flower 2017 Mendocino The Flower Rose

Inconnu 2017 Contra Costa County Lalalu Cab Franc

Inconnu 2017 Contra Costa County Lalalu Rose

Kelley Fox 2015 Willamette Valley Momtazi Pinot Noir

Kelley Fox 2016 Dundee Hills Maresh Pinot Noir

Kelley Fox 2016 Willamette Valley Mirabai Pinot Noir

Kenwood 1977 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Macari 2010 North Fork of Long Island Pinot Meunier 375ml

Minimus 2016 Rockwell

Minimus 2016 Applegate Valley Soloro Vineyard Grenache

Minor, Sean 2016 Central Coast Pinot Noir

Omero Cellars 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Omero Cellars 2016 Willamette Valley Gamay Noir

Peju 1990 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon HB Vineyard

Pied a Terre 2014 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

Kudos to our friend Richard Luftig for the phenomenal quality and price of Pied a Terre Cabernet! Always one of our best-selling American reds, 2014 is a deep, ripe, and focused vintage for Pied a Terre. There is great energy and balance in this bottle, which will elevate your wintry dinners and holiday gift lists alike! Ariana Rolich

Precedent 2015 Contra Costa County Evangelho Vineyard Zinfandel

Precedent 2015 Contra Costa County Evangelho Zinfandel 1.5 L

Ridge 2011 Santa Cruz Mountains Monte Bello Merlot Estate

Ridge Vineyards first made Merlot in 1974 on Monte Bello; after being initially blended into their famed Cabernet, the Merlot eventually showed enough structure and complexity to merit a separate bottling. Aged nearly 20 months in a combination of 40% new and 60% 4-5 year old American oak barrels, this Merlot displays clove, anise, and allspice aromatics. The high elevation of the Monte Bello vineyard (nearly 2600 feet!) shines through with red plum skin, tart red cherry, and fennel flavors, followed by a sinewy black olive finish. A Merlot to age for the next 5-10 years! Jonas Mendoza

Ridge 2014 Santa Cruz Mountains Monte Bello Merlot Estate

Rootdown 2017 Amador County Mourvedre Rose

Rootdown 2017 Amador County Trousseau Rose

Rootdown 2017 Sierra Foothills Jane's Vineyard Sangiovese Rose

Ryme Cellars 2014 Fountain Grove District Peacelands Cabernet Sauvignon

Ryme Cellars 2017 Tuolomne County Gianelli Vineyard Rose

Sandhi 2015 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

Scholium Project 2015 California Bechtold Ranch '1MN'

Southold Farm + Cellar 2015 North Fork Faarm Vineyard Lagrein Trust the Pain

St Innocent 2014 Willamette Valley Momtazi Pinot Noir

Swick Wines 2016 Washington Columbia Gorge Malbec

A deep and brooding Washington Malbec from Joe Swick, this wine displays a subtle nose, with a bit of elegant dark fruit emerging from its gentlemanly reserve. Dark notes of spice and some husky minerality are clothed on the palate by a classic tannic grip. There is good structure but also fine integration of its various parts, which make it a wonderful complement for a wide range of foods. This is a great cold weather wine, that will be nice alongside rich cheeses, dark full-bodied sauces, and meats of various types, such as veal, game birds, poultry, and fine cuts of grass-fed beef. Andrew Farquhar

Swick Wines 2016 Washington Columbia Gorge Touriga Nacional Sec Siemefe

Swick Wines 2017 Columbia Gorge Crooked 'Ellaguru'

Swick Wines 2017 Willamette Valley Pet Nat Rose

Turley 2015 Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Turley 2016 Zinfandel Juvenile

Turley 2016 Lodi Kirschenmann Zinfandel

Under the Wire 2014 Sonoma Coast Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir Rose

Under the Wire is the sparkling wine project of Morgan Twain Peterson and Chris Cottrell, whose ambition to make world-class California Champagne method bubbles is fed by truly excellent grape sources. This rose is Pinot Noir from  David Hirsch's legendary vineyard on the true Sonoma Coast, just a mile from the San Andreas fault. The 2014 vintage was fermented with native yeasts in neutral barrels and disgorged in the spring of 2017 with 2g dosage. An American sparkler to celebrate!

Voces 2010 Napa Valley Red Blend

Wind Gap 2014 Sonoma Coast Syrah