.Acaibo winery in the Chalk Hill appellation is actually a trick that makes you intend to spill the beans. So we did. Acaibo vineyard is the sort of trick that creates you intend to spill the grains.
A little-known jewel in the center of the Chalk Hill title near Windsor, this French family-owned vineyard counts solely on word-of-mouth for marketing– which appears to fit the owners merely great.Maybe it is actually because they have their hands full along with 4 historic chu00e2teaux in Bordeaux, creating Acaibo just the break they require.The story.Acaibo was actually started through Gonzague Lurton as well as Claire Villars-Lurton, a married couple that each hail from popular fourth-generation wine-making loved ones in Bordeaux, France. Together, they possess and also deal with 4 chu00e2teaux in the area, featuring Chu00e2teau Durfort-Vivens, Chu00e2teau Ferriu00e8re, Chu00e2teau La Gurgue and Chu00e2teau Haut-Bages Libu00e9ral.In 2012, the couple placed their direct Sonoma Region, where they obtained a 24-acre building in the Chalk Hillside appellation. Their chance was actually to exhibit their French winegrowing sensibilities in a location for exploration.Named Trinitu00e9 Estate– a salute to the Lurtons’ 3 youngsters, three Grand Cru Classu00e9s (premier) estate, the Bordeaux emblem’s three bows and the Acaibo’s 3 different mix– the building is grown exclusively to Bordeaux assortments.While the winery isn’t licensed organic, the company hires natural farming principles and is actually pursuing accreditation.
In France, Villars-Lurton is actually a major advocate of biodynamic farming as well as cultural farming, so I am actually confident the Lurtons will definitely follow up along with natural certification.In 2019, the Kincade Fire damaged a substantial part of the vineyard, yet the Lurtons have been hard replanting the residential or commercial property through winemaker as well as winery manager Nicolas Vonderheyden.Washington D.C.-born and also Bordeaux-raised, Vonderheyden is accountable for Acaibo’s new, controlled, French-style wines that sing with sparkle and also assurance.The character.If you’re seeking a fancy French chu00e2teaux, this is not the spot for you. Rather, Acaibo delivers a sampling experience ingrained along with enhanced rusticity in a way simply the French and Sonoma County can easily offer.After a strolling excursion of the property vineyards (strong footwear urged), attendees enjoy gun barrel samples in the basement prior to heading to the old barn for red wine sampling. Strong chairs supply common tasting around bench, along with alternatives that include a collection of Acaibo wines ($ 30) or those coming from the Lurtons’ Bordeaux properties ($ 40).On the palate.Currently, Acaibo generates concerning 1,000 situations of white wine per year with a concentrate on singular Bordeaux varietals and the label’s signature blend.Acaibo’s wine style is extremely French.
On a recent see, the GC 2023 Sauvignon Blanc ($ 35) was clean and racy, with intense notes of grapefruit, lemon and also lime.An unexpected fave was the ashen GC 2023 Orange A Glass Of Wine ($ 45), with its own amazing blossomy fragrances as well as tidy, yet marvelously sophisticated, taste buds. Sauvignon Blanc fermented on the skin layers for two months, it is actually a welcome addition to orange red or white wines in the New World.The GC 2020 Lurton Malbec ($ 50) was actually extremely extra-delicious among the reds– along with notes of delicious chocolate, dark plums and a frame of minerality.A mixture of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and also Merlot, Acaibo’s signature 2017 reddish mixture ($ 65) was structured and also complex– yet French adequate to stay processed– along with black fruits and organization tannins that will definitely permit the red wine to grow older for at the very least a decade.Past liquors.Purchases supervisor Pascal Guerlou is actually a skilled host and also tourist guide. His freshly baked jewels (his own dish) and considerately equipped cheese and charcuterie boards are an appreciated feature listed here– and the best accompaniment to Acaibo’s Bordeaux-style glass of wines.You can easily connect with Personnel Author Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com.
Adhere To Sarah on Instagram at @whiskymuse.