Sandlands Sonoma Trousseau 2023
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The Land
The Sonoma Coast is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay country. Trousseau, a grape from France's Jura, is not what the region is known for. But at Bohan Vineyard, 1,400 feet above sea level and three miles from the Pacific Ocean, the conditions suit the variety precisely: gravelly loam over sandstone and shale, cool ocean air cutting through the hills all season, and the kind of bracing salinity that translates directly into the glass. At this elevation on the true Sonoma Coast, the ocean acts as thermostat, keeping temperatures moderate and ripening slow through the entire growing season. The result is a naturally low-alcohol, high-acid red with a transparency and site-character that warmer inland sites cannot produce. This is not the lush, perfumed Sonoma Coast people expect.
The Wine
100% Trousseau from Bohan Vineyard, re-grafted onto the rootstock of an earlier Merlot planting. Practicing organic farming. The 2023 Sonoma Coast growing season was long and cool, following a wet winter that delayed budbreak and extended the ripening window well into fall. The result is a wine of precision and lift. Pale ruby in the glass. Dried red cherry, kirsch, white pepper, and crushed flowers lead; the palate is light-bodied with low tannins and brisk acidity, threaded with saline notes that echo the vineyard's proximity to the ocean. The finish is effortless. Production is tiny.
The People
Tegan Passalacqua describes Sandlands as dedicated to "forgotten classic California varieties" grown in sandy and rocky soils, from vineyards farmed for generations but largely ignored by the mainstream wine world. Trousseau fits that mission exactly: a low-profile grape at the margins of where it's supposed to grow, on a vineyard converted from something more conventional. Passalacqua is a Napa Valley native who worked with Eben Sadie in South Africa, with Alain and Maxime Graillot in the Northern Rhone, and at Craggy Range in New Zealand before two decades at Turley Wine Cellars, where he eventually became Director of Winemaking. Sandlands launched in 2010 and produces around 4,000 cases total, most sold directly to consumers.
Food Pairing
Low tannins, bright acidity, and a saline backbone make this unusually versatile at the table. Grilled salmon with citrus beurre blanc, charcuterie with cornichons and whole-grain mustard, duck confit with braised lentils, or a roast beet salad with goat cheese and walnuts all work. Light enough to serve slightly chilled on a warm evening. This is a red wine for people who usually reach for white.
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Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
Sonoma County, located west of Napa Valley and stretching to the Pacific Ocean, is a large and diverse wine region in California. With a history of winemaking dating back to the 19th century, Sonoma's varied terroir allows it to grow grapes in multiple places throughout the region. Bordered by the Mayacamas Mountains on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west, the county encompasses a range of climates and soils. The Russian River Valley, known for its cool climate influenced by fog, is acclaimed for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Alexander Valley, further inland and warmer, excels with Cabernet Sauvignon. The Sonoma Coast, a region directly influenced by the Pacific's cool breezes and fog, is gaining recognition for elegant, cool-climate wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This diverse landscape provides the fruit for an array of styles.
California - Sonoma County
Trousseau is a light-skinned grape variety with origins in the Jura region of France, where it is valued for producing pale red wines with a distinctive savory and spicy character. Known locally as Bastardo in Portugal and increasingly gaining attention in California, particularly in regions seeking lighter-bodied reds, Trousseau yields wines that are often marked by bright acidity and earthy undertones. Its aromas can range from red berries and cherries to forest floor and a peppery spice, making it a unique and intriguing variety for those seeking something beyond the more common red grapes.
