.Acaibo vineyard in the Chalk Hill appellation is a technique that makes you wish to blow the beans. So we did. Acaibo winery is the type of trick that creates you intend to spill the beans.
An obscure jewel in the heart of the Chalk Mountain title near Windsor, this French family-owned vineyard depends solely on word-of-mouth for advertising and marketing– which appears to match the proprietors simply alright.Perhaps it is actually since they have their palms full along with four famous chu00e2teaux in Bordeaux, creating Acaibo only the break they need to have.The tale.Acaibo was actually established through Gonzague Lurton as well as Claire Villars-Lurton, a couple who each come from famous fourth-generation winemaking families in Bordeaux, France. With each other, they own and also manage four chu00e2teaux in the region, consisting of Chu00e2teau Durfort-Vivens, Chu00e2teau Ferriu00e8re, Chu00e2teau La Gurgue as well as Chu00e2teau Haut-Bages Libu00e9ral.In 2012, the bride and groom put their direct Sonoma County, where they acquired a 24-acre residential property in the Chalk Hill designation. Their hope was to display their French winegrowing sensibilities in an area for exploration.Called Trinitu00e9 Real estate– a salute to the Lurtons’ 3 youngsters, 3 Grand Cru Classu00e9s (premier) estate, the Bordeaux logo’s 3 bows and also the Acaibo’s 3 different mix– the property is grown solely to Bordeaux selections.While the winery isn’t licensed organic, the firm utilizes natural farming principles and is working toward qualification.
In France, Villars-Lurton is actually a primary advocate of biodynamic farming and also regenerative agriculture, so I’m confident the Lurtons will definitely follow through along with natural accreditation.In 2019, the Kincade Fire damaged a substantial portion of the winery, however the Lurtons have actually been actually diligently replanting the building with the help of winemaker and vineyard manager Nicolas Vonderheyden.Washington D.C.-born and Bordeaux-raised, Vonderheyden is accountable for Acaibo’s fresh, controlled, French-style white wines that sing along with gusto as well as assurance.The feel.If you are actually trying to find an elaborate French chu00e2teaux, this is not the place for you. As an alternative, Acaibo gives a tasting knowledge suffused with polished rusticity in a manner merely the French and Sonoma Region may supply.After a walking excursion of the estate wineries (tough footwear encouraged), guests appreciate barrel samples in the cellar just before heading to the outdated shed for wine sampling. Strong stools give public tasting around the bar, with alternatives that feature an option of Acaibo red or white wines ($ 30) or those coming from the Lurtons’ Bordeaux estates ($ 40).On the taste buds.Presently, Acaibo creates concerning 1,000 cases of white wine each year with a pay attention to solitary Bordeaux varietals and also the brand name’s trademark blend.Acaibo’s white wine type is decidedly French.
On a current visit, the GC 2023 Sauvignon Blanc ($ 35) was clean as well as racy, with brilliant notes of grapefruit, lemon and also lime.An unforeseen fave was actually the pale GC 2023 Orange Wine ($ forty five), with its own unique blossomy scents and well-maintained, yet marvelously sophisticated, taste. Sauvignon Blanc fermented on the skin layers for two months, it’s an appreciated add-on to orange red or white wines in the New Planet.The GC 2020 Lurton Malbec ($ 50) was actually decidedly extra-delicious amongst the reddishes– along with keep in minds of chocolate, black plums and also a framework of minerality.A mixture of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, Acaibo’s trademark 2017 reddish combination ($ 65) was actually structured and complex– however French sufficient to remain processed– with black fruits and organization tannins that will enable the red or white wine to age for a minimum of a decade.Beyond liquors.Sales manager Pascal Guerlou is actually a consummate host as well as tour guide. His newly baked jewels (his very own dish) and considerately well prepared cheese and charcuterie boards are actually an invited highlight here– and the ideal accessory to Acaibo’s Bordeaux-style red wines.You can reach Personnel Writer Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com.
Follow Sarah on Instagram at @whiskymuse.