Author: Allison Levine

Acquiesce Winery

22353 N Tretheway Rd, Acampo, CA 95220
www.whitewinewinery.com

Region: Mokelumne River AVA, Lodi

Owner: Susan Tipton

Winemaker: Christina Lopez

About: Acquiesce Winery offers estate-grown, award-winning premium white and rosé wines lovingly created in small batches. Try our unique wines: Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc, and white blends Belle Blanc and Ingénue plus a Grenache Rosé.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Bourboulenc

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? Grenache Blanc – fell in love with this amazing wine!

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? Love the uniqueness of these grapes that you can’t find in the store!

Absolution Cellars

845 Embarcadero, Suite H, Morro Bay, CA 93442
www.absolutioncellars.com

Region: Paso Robles

Owner/ Winemaker: Dirk Neumann

About: We are a small family-owned winery specializing in limited-production, handcrafted, single-vineyard wines from select vineyards all throughout the beautiful Central Coast. With over 20 different varieties and wines made each year, you’ll find something to please every palate. Each wine that we make is the best version of itself – a unique portrait of place and time, an honest expression of where and when the grapes were grown. Made for you to savor, enjoy, and share with your family and friends, as well as strangers, who may become one or both.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Cabernet Franc

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? Nebbiolo at a Palmina Tasting in the Wine Ghetto of Lompoc in 2011.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? Pouring them for people and seeing their eyes light up when they are tasting something they are not used to having.

AmByth Estate

510 Sequoia Lane Templeton, CA 93465
www.ambythestate.com

Region: Paso Robles, CA

Owner: Phillip Hart

Winemaker: Gelert Hart

About: We are a small family owned and operated vineyard, winery and farm in Paso Robles, CA. We believe in making authentic, terroir driven wines. Embracing biodynamic principles since 2003, our 42-acre estate, including 20 acres of vineyards, benefits from a unique microclimate and promotes a balanced ecosystem.

In winemaking, minimal intervention is key. Native yeasts, Terra Cotta clay Amphoras, and zero additives define our process. Hand harvesting, foot stomping, and adherence to Demeter and CCOF certifications showcase our dedication to transparency and purity.

AmByth Estate produces wines that tell a story—a story of sustainable farming, a love for the land, and a belief in the harmonious relationship between nature and craftsmanship.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Counoise

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? In 2010 the love affair with single varietal Counoise started with our dry farmed estate fruit. In earlier years, we blended with Grenache or in our Estate GSM which we still do and love but there is something special about a single varietal Counoise.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? The surprise and excitement of a new discovery. Usually these grapes are made to more authentic expressions which open a whole new realm of wine and wine drinking.

It’s always a joy to share wines made with lesser know varietals with our guests and friends and to be able to widen the consumers pallet and introduce them to a side of wine where they don’t know what to expect. A wine that initiates a good conversation and brings people together is what excites us the most.

Boutz Cellars

7055 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles
Boutzcellars.com

Region: Adelaida District, Paso Robles

Owner: James & Manoli Boutzoukas

Winemaker: James Boutzoukas

About: Our story is about father and son embarking on a journey to build a legacy, both of whom have a passion for the outdoors, farming and of course – fine wine!

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Vidiano

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? Visiting wineries in Crete that focused on forgotten indigenous grape cultivars of Crete.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? Unique and unlike any other white grape produces wines that are rich in texture with aromatics of stone fruits and floral aromas.

Billy D Wines

PO Box 846 St. Helena, CA 94574
www.billydwines.com

Region: Northern California

Owner/Winemaker: Billy Davies

About: Bucking the norm with delicious, down-to-earth natural wines you can really drink. Rooted in the adventure days of 60s and 70s Napa Valley, Billy D remembers the best of times and looks to the future. Old school new. Returning to grapes like Chenin Blanc, Carignan, Napa Gamay (Valdiguie), French Colombard, and Barbera for the pure enjoyment of it. Vibrant wines we just want to drink ourselves!

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Napa Gamay (aka Valdiguie)

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? Drinking an Inglenook Charbono from the 1970s at Bern’s Steak House. (And drinking Petite Sirah from the 1960s before then!)

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? Personality, intrigue, and well matched to the original sites!

Cairjn Wine Cellars

2323 Tuley Road, Unit 120 Paso Robles, CA 93446
https://www.cairjnwinecellars.com/

Region: Paso Robles

Owner: Andy & Michele Neja

Winemaker: Andy Neja

About: Derived from the word, “cairn” which means “a heap of stones piled up as a memorial or as a landmark.” Our founder, Andy Neja, chose this name as a tribute to his family’s farming legacy and as a nod to the limestone-rich terrain of West Paso, where our vineyards are located.

It requires hard work and dedication to make wine, and at Cairjn, we have a deep respect for the men and women who work tirelessly to bring each vintage to fruition. That’s why we honor their efforts by staying true to our commitment to quality and sustainability.

Now producing 800 cases annually, our portfolio of wines reflects our commitment to quality and sustainability. Our dream is to provide our customers with a truly unique wine experience. Join us on this journey as we build a landmark wine for Paso Robles.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Albariño

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? I tasted Albariño early on in my wine journey and I fell in love with its freshness and wonderful floral and citrus characters.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? Their uniqueness and pouring them for people that have never heard of them and watching their enjoyment of this new variety.

Cavaletti Vineyard

165 Poindexter Avenue, Suite D, Ventura, CA
www.cavalettivineyards.com

Region: Ventura County

Owner/Winemaker: Patrick Kelly

About: We are a family owned winery producing wines of personality and place since 2016.

What is your favorite forgotten grape?  Alicante Bouschet

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape?  First harvest – Grenache 2016

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? They are just fun to work with. No pretense and no preconceived notions.