Uncategorized

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.

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!

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.

Bushong Vintage Company

565 12th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446
www.bushongvintagecompany.com

Region: Paso Robles

Owner: Jason Bushong

Winemaker: Jason Bushong

About: Bushong Vintage Company, where the passion for winemaking meets over two decades of craftsmanship. With a focus on high-fidelity wines, Jason Bushong, Winemaker, and Owner, has dedicated himself to producing exceptional varietals from the Central Coast. Specializing in a selection of crisp & aromatic whites and rich red blends. Sourcing fruit from the esteemed vineyards of Paso Robles and the Central Coast, each bottle bears a label that pays homage to the harmonies of music, reflecting the soulful essence of Bushong Vintage Company Wines.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Tannat

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? I fell in love with wine based on the diversity of grapes used in its production. It’s a never-ending learning experience, so many varieties, regions, techniques, and styles. But the basis is the amazing number of varieties of wine grapes, that’s where a wine starts its life.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? I fell in love with wine based on the diversity of grapes used in its production. It’s a never-ending learning experience, so many varieties, regions, techniques, and styles. But the basis is the amazing number of varieties of wine grapes, that’s where a wine starts its life.

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.

Camins 2 Dreams

1520 E Chestnut Ct, Lompoc, CA. 93436
www.camins2dreams.com

Region: Santa Barbara County

Owners/Winemakers: Mireia Taribo & Tara Gomez

About: Camins 2 Dreams was founded in 2017. Our grapes are sourced from vineyards in Santa Barbara County with a focus in Sta. Rita Hills and San Benito County. Our philosophy is to make hand-crafted, terroir-driven wines that are fermented with natural yeast and use minimal intervention in the winery, with only minimum amounts of SO2 at bottling. Our wines are also all unfined and unfiltered. We believe wine is made in the vineyard and we want to showcase the typicity of each site where the grapes come from. We source fruit from vineyards that share in the same values of respect for the land and their workers and works e with organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming vineyards.

We are a team of two winemakers, Mireia Taribó and Tara Gomez, wife and wife, whose paths first crossed in 2006 through our work in the wine industry. Our friendship grew through wine and travels, which also sparked our love. Our journey of friendship, love, and wine now continues as together we found our dream winery, Camins 2 Dreams.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Grüner Veltliner

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape?

Mireia: I have been lucky to enjoy forgotten grapes since early age, being from Spain most of our local grapes would be considered “forgotten” , even though they are popular in Spain. Ex: Tempanillo, Xarello , Mencia or Garciano to name a few.

Tara: Through my travels through Europe, I felt lucky to expand my palate to many forgotten grapes. One experience in particular was in Languadoc when I tasted Carignan for the first time many years ago. I remember seeing those vines planted along the Mediterranean Sea and was so amazed by that, and the salinity that came from that was truly remarkable, not to mention the dark fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, and moderate tannins. Through that experience, Carignan is definitely one of my favorites.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? We love making and teaching the consumer about the under represented varieties that are not mainstream. There are so many forgotten grapes that deserve the same recognition as the mainstream varieties, and we love preaching about those varieties. We like to research them, learn about them, experimenting as we make the wine and then introducing them to the consumers.