Iruai Sylvan Trousseau 2023

The Land

The Iruai Sylvan Trousseau 2023 is sourced from vineyards in California AVA, specifically from Grievous Angel Vineyard in Mendocino County and Shasta-Trinity Vineyard in the Trinity Lakes AVA. These vineyards, located in the Shasta-Cascade region, are grown in what Iruai calls the "liminal spaces between the pastures of civilization and the wilds of the forest." This unique location, with its high elevation and continental climate, allows Trousseau to express a distinctive character that is both wild and refined.

The Wine

This 100% Trousseau bottling offers a wine that is both enticing and mysterious. Expect a dank nose reminiscent of marijuana gummies, followed by a palate that is juicy and alive, rounded out with subtle hints of dried mushrooms, duck fat, and cranberry sauce. It's a wine that is described as "dank like marijuana gummy bears, juicy and alive on the palate, and rounded out with a subtle hint of dried mushrooms, duck fat and cranberry sauce." This Trousseau is designed to be both intriguing and delicious, offering a unique California take on this esoteric variety.

The People

Iruai Winery, founded by Chad and Michelle Westbrook Hinds, is located in Etna, CA, within the Shasta-Cascade mountains. They began as a nomadic natural wine project in 2013 before establishing their winery in Etna in 2019. Iruai, pronounced "ear-oo-eye," is the Shasta Indigenous word for Scott Valley, their home. They are dedicated to exploring alpine varieties and creating fun, easy-drinking natural wines that express a sense of place, using minimal intervention and no additives. Their wines are for those seeking something truly different from California, with a clear nod to Old World sensibilities.