James Beard Grant 

~Rhone Varieties in California~

Gideon Beinstock of Clos Saron and his Goose

Our sommelier, Erin, won a 'Rhone Rangers Professional Travel Study Grant' through the James Beard Foundation. As part of the travel study to study Rhone varieties in California, she recently returned from a 10 day trip through California. She visited several producers that are currently available on the Fleurie wine list, including Sashi Moorman and his Memorious Vineyard (perhaps one of the most important vineyards in the world, planted from pinot noir seeds), Gideon Beinstock (and his goose- pictured) at his tiny outcropping of vines in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, Randall Graham (of Bonny Doon)'s new site in San Juan Bautista, and some vines that date back to the 1880s at Ridge Estate in Sonoma. 

During the California Gold Rush, some of the earliest planted grape varieties originally came from France's Rhone Valley. The connection to the Rhone and California's pre-Prohibition wine era is a heritage that echoes in some of California's more unique wines. Ridge, for instance, works with some of the oldest vineyards in California. 

As you travel farther south, a newer romance between California and Rhone varieties becomes clear. The oldest syrah vines in Santa Barbara Country, for instance, date back to as recently as the 1970s. 

As southern California becomes more enthralled with Rhone varieties, northern California is growing to appreciate their ancient vineyards. A few winemakers recently got together and created the Historic Vineyard Society to celebrate some of these plantings. Next time you are in California, these are some wines and vines to seek out!