Fathers and Daughters Cellars – A Road Less Traveled
Nothing could be truer than Robert Frost poem and the conclusion “Two roads diverge in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference”. Located in Philo, Anderson Valley, about one hour northwest of Healdsburg (Sonoma Valley). At Ferrington Vineyard where they source most of their fruit on 72 acres. At Ferrington they get their Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. They do use two other vineyards for some other varietals. Here is where Guy Pacurar and his wife Sarah, with their two daughters have established Fathers and Daughters Cellars. They hired Phil Baxter of Baxter Wines to oversee the production of the wines.
The road less travelled is exhibited by three of their wines, the first being the 2018 The Dance. A blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Gewurztraminer and 10% Chardonnay. Not your common everyday white table wine! This was a blend that worked in an unorthodox manner. The bright grapefruit coupled with the Gewurztraminer made your palate and mind at first confused and almost schizophrenic and then pleasantly relieved with a mouthful feeling of exuberance and harmony. This wine sell for $25. Previous years have won a USA Wine Ratings Gold Medal.
Another wine called Sarah’s 2017 Rustic Bubbles is a Pétillant Naturel, or Pét-Nat for short, style using 100% Chardonnay grapes. First a quick tutorial on pet nat. Pét-Nat is a not a new method of making a “bubbling wine” as it dates back pre-Champagne era. The process in making Pét-Nat is called méthode ancestral . The wine is bottled prior to fully completing its first fermentation. This allows carbon dioxide to develop by the natural sugars in the grapes. Méthode champenoise requires a secondary fermentation of yeast and sugar. Champagne must be disgorged. Pét-Nat may or may not be filtered on completion of fermentation. The bottle is cloudy due to the remaining lees presence and no filtration. This produces a more rustic and lively wine reflecting the terroirs of the grapes. Sarah’s Rustic Bubbles provides the basic Chardonnay profiles, but with a slight effervescence. It is crown capped and has “baked bread on the nose”. A wonderful patio pounder on a warm afternoon or evening. Again a small winery on their own road to making a difference. This wine sells for $21.
The third wine is their 2016 Ella’s Reserve Pinot Noir. This was named for their first daughter, Ella Mac. This varietal is the Ferrington Vineyard signature grape. The wine was light red color on eyes and medium viscosity. On the nose a light and delicate floral fragrance wafted from the glass to the olfactory senses. On the palate, strawberry, cherry and rhubarb were dominate. On the medium finish, plum and a slightly sour rhubarb lingered. 100 cases were made and were aged in 100% French oak, with 20% being new. This wine sells for $52 and won a Sunset Magazine Gold Medal. This was paired with a pork chop, Yukon Gold potatoes and a fresh garden salad.
In addition to the three mentioned above, they do produce a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Rose and a few others. All of their bottles have the father/daughter picture theme walking holding hands. That alone is worth the price of the wine. But in addition, you get some unique and tasting wines! I wish I had tasted the Sauvignon Blanc (old vines) and their Chardonnay. Next time when I travel up and take the road less travelled to visit Fathers and Daughters Cellars.
Slainte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 