.Acaibo vineyard in the Chalk Mountain designation is actually a key that makes you wish to spill the grains. So our team performed. Acaibo winery is the sort of key that creates you desire to blow the grains.
An obscure jewel in the soul of the Chalk Mountain appellation near Windsor, this French family-owned winery depends only on word-of-mouth for marketing– which seems to be to fit the proprietors only alright.Perhaps it is actually considering that they have their hands total with four historic chu00e2teaux in Bordeaux, creating Acaibo simply the reprieve they require.The account.Acaibo was actually established by Gonzague Lurton and Claire Villars-Lurton, a pair who each hail from famous fourth-generation wine-making households in Bordeaux, France. All together, they possess and also manage 4 chu00e2teaux in the location, featuring Chu00e2teau Durfort-Vivens, Chu00e2teau Ferriu00e8re, Chu00e2teau Los Angeles Gurgue and Chu00e2teau Haut-Bages Libu00e9ral.In 2012, the couple placed their sights on Sonoma Region, where they acquired a 24-acre residential property in the Chalk Hill appellation. Their hope was actually to display their French winegrowing sensibilities in an area conducive to expedition.Named Trinitu00e9 Real estate– a salute to the Lurtons’ 3 children, three Grand Cru Classu00e9s (top) estate, the Bordeaux logo’s 3 bows and also the Acaibo’s three different combination– the residential or commercial property is grown exclusively to Bordeaux assortments.While the winery isn’t licensed organic, the business uses natural farming principles and also is working toward certification.
In France, Villars-Lurton is a major proponent of biodynamic farming as well as regenerative horticulture, so I am actually hopeful the Lurtons are going to follow through along with natural qualification.In 2019, the Kincade Fire ruined a notable section of the vineyard, yet the Lurtons have been actually faithfully replanting the residential or commercial property with the aid of wine maker as well as winery manager Nicolas Vonderheyden.Washington D.C.-born and Bordeaux-raised, Vonderheyden is responsible for Acaibo’s new, controlled, French-style wines that vocalize with gusto and assurance.The vibe.If you are actually looking for a fancy French chu00e2teaux, this is actually certainly not the place for you. Rather, Acaibo offers a tasting knowledge suffused along with enhanced rusticity in such a way merely the French and also Sonoma County can easily supply.After a walking excursion of the property vineyards (strong footwear promoted), guests take pleasure in gun barrel samples in the basement before moving to the aged shed for red or white wine sampling. Tough stools deliver public tasting around the bar, along with choices that feature an assortment of Acaibo white wines ($ 30) or even those from the Lurtons’ Bordeaux properties ($ 40).On the taste buds.Currently, Acaibo creates about 1,000 situations of red or white wine annually along with a pay attention to solitary Bordeaux varietals and also the brand’s trademark mixture.Acaibo’s red or white wine type is actually distinctly French.
On a latest visit, the GC 2023 Sauvignon Blanc ($ 35) was actually fresh as well as saucy, with bright notes of grapefruit, lemon and also lime.An unforeseen preference was actually the light GC 2023 Orange Wine ($ 45), along with its own exotic floral aromas and also well-maintained, however marvelously complex, palate. Sauvignon Blanc fermented on the skin layers for pair of months, it’s an invited addition to orange red or white wines in the New Planet.The GC 2020 Lurton Malbec ($ fifty) was decidedly extra-delicious one of the reds– along with notes of delicious chocolate, black plums and a frame of minerality.A combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and also Red wine, Acaibo’s signature 2017 reddish mixture ($ 65) was structured and also complex– but French enough to continue to be processed– along with dark fruits and also company tannins that will definitely enable the white wine to age for a minimum of a many years.Beyond liquors.Sales manager Pascal Guerlou is actually a practiced host and also tour guide. His fresh cooked baguettes (his own recipe) and also attentively well prepared cheese and charcuterie boards are an appreciated highlight listed below– as well as the excellent enhancement to Acaibo’s Bordeaux-style wines.You can reach Team Author Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com.
Observe Sarah on Instagram at @whiskymuse.