01 Jan Los Pilares Wine
Los Pilares Wine
Durbin Road, Santa Ysabel, CA
lospilareswine.com
Region: San Diego County
Owner: Coleman Cooney
Winemaker: Michael Christian and Coleman Cooney
About: Los Pilares is a long-term exploration of high-altitude viticulture in the mountains of San Diego County, founded by Katie Fawkesmoore, Coleman Cooney, Jay McCarthy, and Michael Christian. Before Los Pilares, they were backyard vignerons, garage winemakers, or wine industry professionals. Since the first vintage in 2010, they have been showcasing the terroir of San Diego’s backcountry and mountains by making wine with nothing but grapes, and sometimes apples. All the fruit comes from sustainable vineyards and orchards grown in the backcountry and mountains of San Diego County.
What is your favorite forgotten grape? Assyrtiko
What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? Drinking young Tintilla Sardo wines in Spain
What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? They extend the spectrum of flavors, textures, and aromas.