.Acaibo winery in the Chalk Hill designation is actually a secret that makes you wish to spill the grains. So we performed. Acaibo vineyard is actually the kind of trick that creates you would like to blow the beans.
A little-known jewel in the center of the Chalk Hill appellation near Windsor, this French family-owned vineyard counts solely on word-of-mouth for advertising and marketing– which seems to be to satisfy the managers only fine.Maybe it is actually since they have their palms full with four historic chu00e2teaux in Bordeaux, creating Acaibo just the break they need.The story.Acaibo was established by Gonzague Lurton and Claire Villars-Lurton, a couple who both hail from famous fourth-generation wine making households in Bordeaux, France. Together, they own and also handle four chu00e2teaux in the area, including Chu00e2teau Durfort-Vivens, Chu00e2teau Ferriu00e8re, Chu00e2teau La Gurgue as well as Chu00e2teau Haut-Bages Libu00e9ral.In 2012, the couple placed their direct Sonoma Region, where they acquired a 24-acre home in the Chalk Hillside appellation. Their hope was actually to exhibit their French winegrowing sensibilities in an area for expedition.Called Trinitu00e9 Estate– a salute to the Lurtons’ three kids, three Grand Cru Classu00e9s (premier) estate, the Bordeaux symbol’s 3 crescents and also the Acaibo’s three varietal mix– the residential property is actually grown solely to Bordeaux assortments.While the winery isn’t accredited natural, the company uses organic farming guidelines and also is actually pursuing qualification.
In France, Villars-Lurton is a major proponent of biodynamic farming and cultural farming, so I’m enthusiastic the Lurtons are going to follow up along with organic accreditation.In 2019, the Kincade Fire damaged a substantial portion of the winery, however the Lurtons have actually been actually vigilantly replanting the property through winemaker and vineyard manager Nicolas Vonderheyden.Washington D.C.-born as well as Bordeaux-raised, Vonderheyden is responsible for Acaibo’s fresh, restrained, French-style glass of wines that vocalize along with sparkle and assurance.The atmosphere.If you’re seeking a fancy French chu00e2teaux, this is actually not the spot for you. As an alternative, Acaibo offers a sampling experience suffused along with refined rusticity in a way only the French as well as Sonoma County can use.After a walking scenic tour of the real estate vineyards (strong shoes motivated), guests take pleasure in barrel samples in the basement before heading to the aged shed for white wine tasting. Durable feceses use communal sampling around the bar, along with alternatives that include a collection of Acaibo glass of wines ($ 30) or those coming from the Lurtons’ Bordeaux real estates ($ 40).On the taste buds.Presently, Acaibo creates regarding 1,000 instances of red wine annually with a concentrate on single Bordeaux varietals and also the label’s signature blend.Acaibo’s red wine style is extremely French.
On a current visit, the GC 2023 Sauvignon Blanc ($ 35) was fresh and also saucy, along with vivid notes of grapefruit, lemon as well as lime.An unpredicted fave was the pale GC 2023 Orange Red Wine ($ forty five), along with its amazing blossomy aromas and also well-maintained, yet marvelously intricate, taste. Sauvignon Blanc fermented on the skins for pair of months, it is actually an invited addition to orange red or white wines in the New World.The GC 2020 Lurton Malbec ($ fifty) was actually distinctly extra-delicious one of the reds– along with notes of chocolate, black plums and also a framework of minerality.A combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and also Red wine, Acaibo’s trademark 2017 red blend ($ 65) was actually structured and also complex– but French sufficient to remain refined– along with black fruits and agency tannins that are going to enable the wine to grow older for at the very least a years.Beyond liquors.Purchases supervisor Pascal Guerlou is a talented hold as well as tourist guide. His recently cooked baguettes (his personal recipe) as well as attentively ready cheese and also charcuterie boards are actually an appreciated highlight here– and also the best accessory to Acaibo’s Bordeaux-style glass of wines.You can get to Staff Writer Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or even sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com.
Adhere To Sarah on Instagram at @whiskymuse.