Jolie-Laide, Trousseau Gris "Ses Ailes Noires" Sonoma County, California 2021

100% Trousseau Gris from Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard in Sonoma County.

Light, bright, and textured with a wonderful floral and savory quality. An inebriating blend of summer melon, stone fruit, white tea, and wet rock weave with finessed length and elegant palate presence.

The Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard is practicing organic and dry-farmed with the Trousseau Gris block dating to 1981. The fruit was foot crushed and left to macerate on skins for a few days before being pressed to neutral puncheons and stainless steel.

The name Jolie-Laide translates loosely to Pretty-Ugly, a French term of endearment to describe something that is unconventionally beautiful. Scott and Jenny Schultz work with a handful of growers, all of whom farm organically; it is their ability to seek out spectacular vineyard sites which allows them to be hands off in the cellar. The winemaking method at Jolie-Laide is simple: grapes are left whole cluster, foot crushed, and aged in neutral oak. All ferments are done with native yeasts, and the only additions consist of a minimal dose of sulfur at bottling.

The labels change every year, featuring a different artist or art collective. The idea is to celebrate the year and seasons in which the wines are made: always unique and different.