Arnot-Roberts Trousseau 2025
We have 11 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Trousseau is the red grape of Arbois in France's Jura, so it surprises people that one of California's longest-running examples grows on volcanic ground in Lake County. Most of the fruit for this wine comes from the Luchsinger Vineyard near Kelseyville, in the Big Valley area west of Clear Lake, planted in 2002 at 1,400 feet. Its soils are volcanic alluvium laid over ancient riverbed cobbles, free-draining ground that keeps berries small and flavors concentrated. The rest comes from Las Cimas Vineyard, an organically farmed site at 800 feet on the western edge of the Russian River Valley, where sandy clay loam sits on fractured sandstone dotted with quartz and schist. Altitude and lean soils are why this Trousseau from California's North Coast stays pale and lifted rather than heavy.
The Wine
Arnot-Roberts Trousseau 2025 is picked and fermented site by site and blended before bottling. In recent vintages every lot has fermented with whole clusters on native yeasts, with malolactic also left to native bacteria, followed by about 11 months in neutral French oak barrels, puncheons, and foudre. The stems add lift and a fine, dusty grip; the old wood adds texture, not vanilla. Expect a pale ruby wine with crushed red cherry, raspberry, orange peel, cedar, mint, and a savory streak of dried herbs, a light and juicy body, and a fine-grained finish that rewards a slight chill. The 2025 season in California brought a cool spring and a mild summer with no major heat events; harvest started up to two weeks late in some regions, and coastal fruit hung well into October.
The People
Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts grew up together in Napa Valley, surrounded by vineyards, and founded Arnot-Roberts in Healdsburg in 2001 with a single barrel of wine made in a basement. After college, Nathan worked alongside his father as a cooper, while Duncan worked in cellars across Napa and Sonoma. Rather than buy land, they grew slowly by seeking out growers with distinctive sites and bottling each one separately. Luchsinger is the historic heart of their Trousseau, farmed sustainably by Bernie Luchsinger and his daughter Pilar. This bottling remains one of the clearest arguments that Trousseau belongs in California.
Food Pairing
Serve it at cellar temperature or after 20 minutes in the fridge. Roast chicken with lemon, thyme, and a pan of crisp fingerling potatoes is the obvious match, the acidity cutting the schmaltz while the light tannin stays out of the way. Seared salmon with brown butter and capers works because the red fruit meets the fish without overwhelming it. A Comté and caramelized onion tart nods to the grape's Jura roots, the nutty cheese and the wine's dried-herb side pulling in the same direction. For a weeknight, try pork carnitas tacos with pickled red onion, where the brightness resets the palate after each rich bite. This is the red for people who say they only drink white in summer.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
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
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.
