We source our Malbec from Asti Ranch near the town of Cloverdale in Sonoma County. Asti Ranch is located at the hot Northern end of Alexander Valley on rocky depleted soil, where the vines struggle to make it through the growing season each year.

The vines produce small yields from this site because of the difficult growing conditions. The resulting clusters and berries are dark with intense sweetness and flavor. We harvest our Malbec early in the morning when it is chilly to preserve freshness and do no processing, we ferment it 100% whole cluster (stems not removed) with its native yeast. The result is a inky dark wine that is seductive in aroma and flavor. Intense berry and violet aromas jump from the glass. Rich, layered tannins let you know this is a serious wine, yet it has enough silkyness that you can still drink it in its youthful age.   

Malbec is an interesting varietal for many reasons, one that is often under celebrated as a stand alone varietal and often blended away to support the  like of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as stand alone wines. When planted in areas where it will excel Malbec is inky purple with inspiring tannins and  a beautiful core of sweet fruit that is unlike the other Bordeaux noble reds  which can have dusty, loamy herbal characters to complement their fruit  components.  

Our Malbec hails from the warm hillsides of Northern Alexander Valley  where it is quite hot, and the soil is rocky and depleted creating vines small  in stature and fruit production. While limited in production, fruit that is  produced is wonderfully complex and intense.  

Aromas of gobs of Black Cherries, Blackberries and Plum Sauce are  complimented by notes of Violet, All Spice and Tobacco leaf coalesce to  give a warm, sweet aromatic profile that you can smell for minutes before  even sipping. The flavors are very similar to the aromatics in plums, plum  sauce, blackberry and cherries and notes of sweet pipe tobacco and of  sweet, just tanned leather.  

This wine is meant for all things grilled, barbecued or for the richest of  cheeses and charcuterie, it begs for braised cuts of meat and a hearty  winter dish.