Full Tilt Wines

Full Tilt Wines

3359 Fernside Blvd, Alameda, CA 94501
fulltiltwines.com

Region: Mendocino County

Owner: Craig Sutphin

Winemaker: Craig Sutphin

About: Full Tilt Wines started as an experiment to see how far The Fukuoka Philosophy of “do nothing” farming could be applied to the entire natural winemaking process. The goal: create charming and delicious wines from climate-ready Mediterranean grapes in ecologically responsible, closed-loop farm. Nothing is added or taken away in the vineyard or the winery, ever. We call it zero-zero-zero. You’ll call it horizon expanding.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Frappato

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? I was relatively young and new to wine, and I purchased a bottle of 100% Negrette from Fronton, made by two female winemakers. I had no idea what Fronton was or who they were, but my wife and I decanted the wine, immediately smelled salt air and lavender fields, and sensed the blistering summer heat. And with one sip, the horizon opened, and I knew there was more above heaven and earth than are dreamt of in all our philosophies. It was like I grew two new eyes that allowed me to see in new directions.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? They expand our ontological horizons.