CALIFORNIA GRAPES

The same California grapes that are used by the finest wineries in the U.S. are now available to home winemakers here on the East Coast.  These grapes are handled and packed with care from the vineyard and shipped refrigerated direct to our door ensuring that the grapes are delivered in the best condition.  Described below are some of the California wine regions where we source our grapes.   

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Central Valley

The Central California valley wine region lies east of San Francisco Bay in the central California valley and runs south through the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys to Bakersfield.  Viticulture in California’s vast interior valley, nestled between the state’s coastal mountain range and the Sierra Nevada, is actually two valleys: the Sacramento   Valley in the north and the San Joaquin Valley in the south, which includes the Delta area located in the middle where the two valleys meet.  Although the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys are not designated AVAs, the region produces 71 percent of the state’s wine grapes and is home to eight AVAs — Clarksburg, Diablo Grande, Dunnigan Hills, Lodi, Madera, Merritt Island, River Junction and Salado Creek.  The Sacramento Valley runs for approximately 120 miles from Red Bluff in the northern end of the valley to the city of Sacramento. Bordered by the Sierra Nevada to the east and the Coast Ranges to the west, this level, sun-drenched, agriculturally rich area is unaffected by ocean influences.

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The San Joaquin Valley is filled with fertile and rich soils, which are among the richest and deepest in the world. The mountain ranges in this region drain into the San Joaquin River, and the river deposits the deep loam (equal mixture of sand and silt) soils, which are characteristic of the region. The combination of soil and regional weather creates growing conditions that are often ideal and create vines that are naturally vigorous.

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Lodi-American Viticultural Area (AVA)

The Lodi Appellation is a federally designated American Viticulture Area recognized for the distinctive quality of its wines. Located directly east of San Francisco at the edge of the Sacramento River Delta, the Lodi appellation is noted for its classic Mediterranean climate and its distinctive sandy soils that provide the perfect environment for the production of world-class wines. For more information on the Lodi wine region you can visit the Lodi-Woodbrige Winegrape Commission website. Click here...

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Suisun Valley-American Viticultural Area (AVA)

The Suisun Valley lies within the southern end of two ranges of the Coast Range, the Vaca Mountains to the east and the Mt. George Range to the west. Suisun Valley terminates in the south at the marshlands of Suisun Bay. To the north Suisun Valley rolls up into Wooden Valley at the Napa County line. For more information on the Suisun Valley AVA you can visit the Suisun Valley Grape Growers Association web site. Click here...

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Mendocino County

Located directly north of Sonoma County and about 90 miles north of San Francisco, the Mendocino wine region is bounded by California's Coastal Mountain Range, the Pacific Ocean and the great northern redwood forests. Mendocino County is highly diverse with coastal influences, mountaintops, river valleys, and inland regions that have either Mediterranean like climates or like Northern Europe. Visit the following website where you can learn more about Mendocino County Region Wineries.

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Sierra Foothills-Amador County

The Sierra Foothill wine region of the central California valley is generally east of San Francisco and includes the El Dorado and Amador County wine growing regions. More than 100 wineries are located in this area with vineyards generally located between 1,500 to 3,000 feet where elevation creates a four-season climate. The shallow, mountainside soils create moderate stress on the vines, producing low to moderate yields and high quality. The region has rolling, sun-drenched hillsides, warm climate, and volcanic, decomposed granite soils, which are ideal conditions for producing quality wine grapes. For more information on the on this region Click here...

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Paso Robles

The Paso Robles AVA has over 20,000 acres under vine and is emerging as a leader in Californian viticulture with over 100 wineries.  Paso Robles has a greater day-to-night temperature swing than any other AVA in California. This optimal climate along with exceptional soil produces a range of exceptional varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Viognier, Primitivo, and Petite Verdot.  For more information on the Paso Robles AVA you can visit the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance website. Click here...

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Napa County

The Napa Valley AVA is considered one of the top wine regions in California with over 300 wineries.  The valley is flanked by the Mayacamas Mountain range on the western and northern sides and the Vaca Mountain range to the east.  Volcanic soil and a Mediterranean climate are conducive to growing quality wine grapes. In 1976, the region got a boost from the Paris Wine Tasting Of 1976, which featured a Napa Valley Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, which bested French labels in a blind tasting format. The results of this tasting cemented the region's reputation of its ability to produce world-class wines. For more information about Napa Valley you can visit the Napa Valley Vintners website. Click here...

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Russian River Valley

The Russian River Valley AVA is one of the most recognized in America and is internationally renowned for it’s Pinot Noir, which excels in this cool climate area. The defining characteristic of the vineyards in the Russian River Valley AVA is the cooling fog that is drawn inland from the Pacific Ocean each day. For more information on the area you can visit the Russian River Valley Winegrowers website. Click here...

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CHILEAN GRAPES

Available each May

We are now sourcing high quality fresh wine grapes from the Curico Valley in Chile. The Curico Valley is located 120 miles south of Santiago and is the oldest wine region in the country. The valley features a Mediterranean climate combined with alluvial soil with good drainage creating perfect conditions for great red wines. The origin of this wine-producing valley goes back to 1851, when fine varieties of grapes where brought to the valley from France and Germany. 

The Curico Valley is largely affected by the Coastal Range, which blocks the maritime influence and creates a continental effect. The result is a pronounced daytime-night time temperature differential that is very beneficial for flavor and aroma development. 

 

Our grapes are sourced from a family-owned vineyard which was founded in 1920. This family has been growing grapes in Chile for three generations and their mission is to provide high quality grapes and exceptional service. The grapes are packed in 18 pound plastic crates and refrigerated from harvest to delivery to our clients here in the U.S. These wine grapes are delivered to you in exceptional condition and are of the highest quality.  

 

Wineries of the Curico Region of Chile include:

Correa Albano, Montes, Sietetazas / Galan Vineyards, Terramater, Vinos Los Robles, Viña Aresti (Bellavista), Viña Astaburuaga, Viña Echeverria, Viña La Fortuna, Viña Miguel Torres, Viña San Pedro, and Viña Valdivieso.

 
AVAILABLE CHILEAN GRAPE VARIETIES INCLUDE:

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Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its deep flavor and aroma. It is full-bodied and intense, sometimes with herbal or fruit flavors. Some flavors that can best describe Cabernet Sauvignon are black cherry, cassis, and raspberry. These  flavors are balanced out with tannins and acids. 

Merlot

Merlot makes beautiful wines that are medium to dark red in color; have a fruity complexity highlighting cherry and black currant flavors. Merlot generally has lower tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon and comes across rounder and a bit sweeter (Merlot usually has higher sugar levels).

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Syrah 

Syrah is the only grape used to make the famous Rhône wines of Côte Rotie and Hermitage, but also forms the backbone of most Rhône blends, including Chateauneuf du Pape. Syrah forms intense wines with deep violet, nearly black color, chewy texture and richness, and often-alcoholic strength, with aromas that tend to be more spicy than fruity.

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Malbec

One of the traditional "Bordeaux varietals", Malbec has characteristics that fall somewhere between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A midseason ripener, it can bring very deep color, ample tannin, and a particular plum-like flavor component to add complexity to blends.

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Carmenere

Carmenere is prized for both its depth of color and, in ripe years, flavor that can range from herbal to gamy and add complexity and interest to blends. Carmenere was imported to South America in the 1850s, along with other Bordeaux varieties, prior to the European outbreak of Phylloxera.