Rootdown Cole Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
We have 12 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Hidden in the folds of Northern California’s coastal range, Cole Ranch is both the smallest and one of the most distinctive AVAs in the country—just over 60 acres total, entirely nestled within the larger Mendocino AVA. This tiny, high-elevation bowl sits between Ukiah and Boonville, capturing cool air and fog from the Pacific while maintaining the sun exposure needed to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon. The soils are fractured sandstone and gravelly loam, limiting vigor and pushing the vines to dig deep. The result is a growing environment that favors structure over sweetness, restraint over ripeness. It’s a place where Cabernet speaks with quiet authority—bright, herbal, and mineral-laced.
The Wine
This is Cabernet with the volume turned down and the focus dialed in. The Cole Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon opens with lifted notes of redcurrant, dried sage, blackberry, and blueberry. There’s a clear thread of minerality—crushed rock and graphite—that carries through the lean, linear palate. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in neutral oak, the wine shows zero interference—just pure, high-altitude fruit guided by acidity and fine, powdery tannins. This wine is a cool-climate take on California Cabernet Sauvignon. Don’t expect a bombastic point-driven Napa Valley expression.
The People
Mike Lucia’s approach at Rootdown is all about peeling back the layers to let vineyard and vintage show through. With deep roots in Sonoma and a restless drive to explore offbeat sites, he’s made Cole Ranch a cornerstone of his low-intervention lineup. Every decision—organic farming, native fermentation, no new oak—is about clarity. In Cole Ranch, Mike found more than a unique site; he found a vineyard that speaks his language: honest, understated, and deeply expressive. His 2021 Cabernet is less about varietal muscle and more about mountain-bred tension—a wine with edges, energy, and soul that won’t wear out your palate.
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This region includes wines labeled "North Coast", which are often blends including Sonoma and Napa counties. This expansive area encompasses established regions like Mendocino and Lake Counties, as well as newer vineyard sites pushing towards the Oregon border. Mendocino County is known for its varied climates, from the Anderson Valley's cool, fog-influenced areas ideal for Pinot Noir and sparkling wine, to warmer inland spots. Lake County, further inland, offers volcanic soils and a warmer climate suitable for Cabernet Sauvignon and other varieties. Beyond these, even more northerly locations are being explored for their unique terroir, contributing to the evolving identity of California's northern wine production.
California - North Coast & Far North
Cabernet Sauvignon, originally hailing from Bordeaux, France, has triumphantly spread to become a cornerstone of vineyards worldwide, achieving particular renown in Napa Valley. This versatile grape variety adapts to a broad spectrum of climates, producing full-bodied wines that are rich in black cherry and blackcurrant flavors, with layered complexities of oak and spice. The grape's success in regions like Napa Valley is a testament to its global adaptability, where it benefits from the optimal blend of warm days and cool nights, coupled with diverse soil types, to express a unique balance of power and elegance that pays homage to its Bordeaux origins.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Practicing Organic vineyard farming involves growing grapes using organic methods—avoiding synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides—but without formal certification. Wineries adopting this approach prioritize environmental health, soil vitality, and biodiversity, using natural practices such as composting, cover cropping, and manual pest control. Many small wineries opt for practicing organic methods rather than pursuing official organic certification, primarily due to the significant cost, paperwork, and time commitment involved in certification processes. As a result, practicing organic is a popular choice among boutique and artisanal producers who remain committed to sustainable agriculture while managing budgetary constraints.
