The Distraction · Today
Rare Foothills white grapes
A Mediterranean summer, grown in the Sierra. Chill a bottle, set the table, and slow down.
A fresh, dry white from grapes rarely grown in California — lemon zest, green apple and white peach, with lively acidity and a mineral finish.
The Distraction
Our chapters are written in red — old-vine Zinfandel, mountain Cabernet, Rhône blends. Cuvée Blanc is the pleasant detour: a white wine for long, hot afternoons, when the story can wait.
Its grapes are rarely grown in California, and many of them are at home around the Mediterranean — Vermentino, Arinto, Verdelho, Fiano and Grenache Blanc among them over the years. In the Sierra Foothills, where hot days meet cool nights, they make a white that is fresh, bright and mineral.
A glass that carries you to the Mediterranean coast.
Every vintage is a new blend, chosen for what the year gives us. That’s the beauty of a distraction — it never takes the same road twice.
The Grapes
Vermentino
Arinto
Verdelho
Fiano
Grenache Blanc
Also, in some vintages: Chenin Blanc, Sémillon, Riesling, Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc.
In the Glass
Aromas
Lemon zest, green apple, white peach, acacia flower
Palate
Lively acidity, dry, with wonderful fruit and minerality
Body
Light and elegant
When to drink
Well chilled, on a warm day
At the table
Grilled fish, oysters, citrus salads, fresh goat cheese
At a Glance
The Wine
Grapes
A changing blend of Mediterranean white varieties
Appellation
Sierra Foothills AVA
Soils
Decomposed granite and sandy loam
Elevation
Up to 1,500 ft
Winemaking
Cold-fermented and aged in stainless steel
Style
Fresh, dry and mineral
The Vintages
Open a vintage to read its notes, vineyards, scores and tech sheet.
A refreshing wine that inspires the imagination, transporting you to the Mediterranean coast: classic notes of lemon zest, green apple, fresh white peach and acacia flower, with harmony, lively acidity and minerality. Its elegant light body makes it perfect for a warm summer day.
| Blend | 39% Riesling, 22% Colombard, 13% Verdelho, 11% Arinto, 8% Fiano, 7% Sauvignon Blanc |
| Vineyards | Salman Farms, New Clairvaux Vineyard, Bray Vineyard, Ionian Vineyard, Rancho Victoria |
| Harvest | August 12 – September 9 |
| Soils | Decomposed granite, sandy loam |
| Elevation | Up to 1,500 ft |
| Fermentation | Temperature-controlled steel tanks |
| Aging | 3 months in stainless steel |
| Alcohol · pH | 13.5% · 3.27 |
| Production | 900 cases |
A perfect fresh Mediterranean white, where bright acidity balances the natural fruit: a tense interplay of green apple and pineapple, nervy and tropical at once, with mouthwatering acidity reminiscent of white peach.
| Blend | 40% Vermentino, 25% Chenin Blanc, 25% Sémillon, 10% Arinto |
| Vineyards | Rubidoux, Wilson Farms, Ionian, Bill Dillian |
| Harvest | August 20 & 26 |
| Soils | Decomposed granite, sandy loam |
| Fermentation | Cold-fermented in stainless steel |
| Aging | 3 months in stainless steel |
| Alcohol · pH | 12.5% · 3.39 |
| Production | 1,200 cases |
A refreshing wine that transports you to the Mediterranean coast: lemon zest, green apple, fresh white peach and acacia flower, with lively acidity, dryness and minerality, and an elegant light body.
| Critics | 93 TP PDF ↓ |
| Blend | 68% Vermentino, 15% Chenin Blanc, 10% Arinto, 7% Sémillon |
| Vineyards | Rubidoux, Rucksack, Ionian, Bill Dillian |
| Harvest | August 31 – September 7 |
| Soils | Decomposed granite, sandy loam |
| Fermentation | Cold-fermented in stainless steel |
| Aging | 3 months in stainless steel |
| Alcohol · pH | 12.9% · 3.33 |
| Production | 600 cases |
A medium-bodied white inspired by Mediterranean grapes: a tense interplay of apple and pineapple, nervy and tropical at once, with mouthwatering acidity reminiscent of tart white peach.
| Critics | 91 Sunset PDF ↓ · 88 WE PDF ↓ |
| Blend | 32% Vermentino, 26% Grenache Blanc, 16% Chenin Blanc, 13% Sémillon, 13% Arinto |
| Vineyards | Naked Vine, Bill Dillian, Ionian, Rubidoux, Rucksack |
| Harvest | August 29 & September 11, 20, 21, 22 |
| Soils | Decomposed granite, sandy loam |
| Fermentation | Cold-fermented in stainless steel |
| Aging | 6 months in stainless steel |
| Alcohol · pH | 13.1% · 3.43 |
| Production | 600 cases |
An early Cuvée Blanc, recognized by Wine & Spirits and the International Wine Report.
| Critics | 90 W&S PDF ↓ · 90 IWR PDF ↓ |
In the Press
93 Tasting Panel 2020 vintage 91 Sunset 2019 vintage 90 Wine & Spirits 2018 vintage 90 International Wine Report 2018 vintage 88 Wine Enthusiast 2019 vintage
Letters from the Foothills
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