1. The Madder Lake vineyard in Lake County is operated sustainably by Sam Spencer.  The soil is composed of Hambright-Konocti Complex, a mix of volcanic ash and clay, interspersed with rocks and boulders (the size of a VW Bugs!).  With weather patterns not unlike Ribera del Duero in Spain, this vineyard produces some of California’s most amazing Grenache, Syrah and Tempranillo.

 

 

2. The certified organic Vista Luna vineyard is owned and managed by noted viticulturist Markus Bokish in Lodi.  These alluvial soils, composed of soil and rock from the debris of glacial activity (or moraine), are planted to Petite Sirah and Albariño.

 

3.  The Chevalier Vineyard in Ukiah, under the watchful eye of Peter Chevalier and his son, Peter, Jr. has been owned and farmed since 1974 and produces Grenache of unparallel quality. Uncharacteristically dark in color, these wines ooze Grenache flavors of unbelievable superiority.

 

4.  The 80 year-old Carignan vines from the Colombini Vineyard in Mendocino produce ridiculously low yields and results in wines that are virtually black in color with impossible flavors of black strawberries.