June 2, 2023 | california cool

Is California the coolest wine region in the country?
(Figuratively... since it has mostly Mediterranean climate with some drier, continental pockets and other dynamic microclimates.)

The state, America's leading wine producer, has gained a reputation for standout versions of well-known grapes like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and beyond. However, myriad smaller producers also craft interesting wines from other grapes.

Today (Friday 6.2 from 4pm to 7pm), we're offering a taste of some of these off-the-beaten-track bottlings, each made from a single grape unusual in California winemaking:

Carboniste Sparkling Albariño Extra Brut Gomes Vineyard California 2021

Haarmeyer Chenin Blanc 'St. Rey' Clarksburg SRV 2022

Two Shepherds Carignan Mendocino 2018