.Acaibo vineyard in the Chalk Mountain title is a trick that makes you wish to spill the grains. So we did. Acaibo winery is the kind of secret that creates you would like to spill the grains.
An obscure gem in the heart of the Chalk Mountain designation near Windsor, this French family-owned vineyard relies exclusively on word-of-mouth for advertising and marketing– which seems to be to match the proprietors merely great.Perhaps it’s since they possess their hands full with 4 historic chu00e2teaux in Bordeaux, creating Acaibo just the respite they require.The tale.Acaibo was actually founded by Gonzague Lurton as well as Claire Villars-Lurton, a couple who each hail from prominent fourth-generation wine-making families in Bordeaux, France. Together, they possess as well as manage four chu00e2teaux in the location, consisting of Chu00e2teau Durfort-Vivens, Chu00e2teau Ferriu00e8re, Chu00e2teau La Gurgue as well as Chu00e2teau Haut-Bages Libu00e9ral.In 2012, both established their sights on Sonoma Area, where they bought a 24-acre residential property in the Chalk Hill title. Their hope was to display their French winegrowing perceptiveness in a region conducive to expedition.Called Trinitu00e9 Estate– a salute to the Lurtons’ 3 little ones, three Grand Cru Classu00e9s (top) estate, the Bordeaux emblem’s 3 bows and the Acaibo’s three varietal mixture– the home is grown specifically to Bordeaux assortments.While the vineyard isn’t accredited natural, the provider utilizes natural farming guidelines and also is actually working toward license.
In France, Villars-Lurton is actually a major supporter of biodynamic farming and cultural farming, so I’m hopeful the Lurtons will go through with all natural license.In 2019, the Kincade Fire ruined a significant part of the vineyard, however the Lurtons have actually been actually hard replanting the residential or commercial property with the aid of winemaker and also vineyard supervisor Nicolas Vonderheyden.Washington D.C.-born as well as Bordeaux-raised, Vonderheyden is in charge of Acaibo’s fresh, controlled, French-style wines that perform along with sparkle as well as self-confidence.The atmosphere.If you are actually trying to find an elaborate French chu00e2teaux, this is not the area for you. Rather, Acaibo offers a tasting expertise ingrained with processed rusticity in such a way simply the French and Sonoma Region can supply.After a walking tour of the estate wineries (strong shoes urged), attendees appreciate gun barrel samples in the cellar prior to moving to the aged shed for a glass of wine sampling. Strong chairs supply common sampling around bench, with choices that include a selection of Acaibo red wines ($ 30) or those from the Lurtons’ Bordeaux real estates ($ 40).On the taste buds.Presently, Acaibo produces regarding 1,000 cases of a glass of wine yearly along with a concentrate on single Bordeaux varietals and the brand’s signature mixture.Acaibo’s wine design is decidedly French.
On a latest go to, the GC 2023 Sauvignon Blanc ($ 35) was actually fresh and also racy, with vivid notes of grapefruit, lemon and also lime.An unpredicted favorite was the dull GC 2023 Orange Wine ($ 45), along with its unique blossomy aromas as well as tidy, however marvelously complex, palate. Sauvignon Blanc fermented on the skins for two months, it is actually a welcome addition to orange white wines in the New Globe.The GC 2020 Lurton Malbec ($ fifty) was actually extremely extra-delicious amongst the reds– along with details of dark chocolate, dark plums as well as a structure of minerality.A mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and also Red wine, Acaibo’s signature 2017 reddish mixture ($ 65) was actually structured as well as structure– but French adequate to continue to be enhanced– along with dark fruits and agency tannins that will permit the white wine to age for a minimum of a decade.Beyond liquors.Sales manager Pascal Guerlou is a practiced hold and also tourist guide. His newly cooked baguettes (his own recipe) and attentively prepared cheese and charcuterie boards are actually a welcome feature here– as well as the perfect accompaniment to Acaibo’s Bordeaux-style wines.You may connect with Team Writer Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com.
Observe Sarah on Instagram at @whiskymuse.