Natural wine from California. More than just Napa. Discover beautifully and ethically made natural wines from all over the golden state.
California is where the American natural wine movement grew up. Small producers are buying fruit from old, organically farmed vineyards in Mendocino, Sonoma, the Sierra Foothills and beyond, and working with grapes like Carignan, Cinsault, Trousseau and Mourvèdre that the big guys pulled out decades ago.
Where to start
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Pét-nat: Catch and Release Swim Good, a sparkling Albariño.
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Orange: Catch and Release Block Party and Middle Child, and Two Shepherds Centime.
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Light reds: Little Trouble Tiny Horse Pinot Noir, Catch and Release Supernova Gamay and After Sun Trousseau.
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Heritage grapes: Ashanta Methusulah (ancient-vine Grenache, Carignan and País), Two Shepherds Wiley Carbonic Carignan and Tabeaux Shake Ridge Mourvèdre.
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Not quite wine: North American Press Wildcard, a co-ferment of heirloom apples and wild grapes.
How to drink it
Chill the whites, orange and pét-nat, give the light reds 20 to 30 minutes in the fridge, and open them with friends.