In lieu of our normal monthly newsletter, given our home base in Northern California, we at Charles Communications Associates, representing wineries from our own backyard and around the world, dedicate this missive to those affected by the Northern California fires of October 2017
The Napa Valley has recently taken a lot of heat – both literally, due to the serious temperature spike that hit the valley earlier this month, as well as figuratively from those who think the aberrant fluctuation spelled doom for the entire region’s harvest. The media has been eager to report this story, which we can all understand – what’s sexier than a potential climate change story about America’s most recognized wine region? Fortunately for the consumer, cooler heads prevail for those of us on the ground, and I wanted to share the perspective from someone who has been around the vineyard block.
Meet Faith Armstrong, the winemaker behind Onward and Farmstrong wines. As refreshing as the Pétillant Naturel she makes of Malvasia Bianca, many of the words used to describe Faith's wine could be used to describe the winemaker herself. Honest, vibrant, unfiltered, true to her origins, bright, complex.
We have been getting drenched out here and are in the middle of another big storm today! You may have seen pictures of flooded vineyards, roads and farms. Although the rain was much needed, parts of central and southern California still remain in an extreme draught. Between October 2016 and today (February 7 2017), we have seen over 30 inches of rainfall compared to approximately 15 inches during the same time in 2015-2016. Because we dry farm the rain is of particular importance to us. In Sonoma, we only receive winter rainfall, summer (when the vines are growing) is dry. Our vines rely on whatever falls during the winter months to grow grapes during the summer months.
For too long rosé has been relegated to the summer season. Broadly portrayed as a quaffable, almost girlish wine, rosé has been historically under-appreciated and its exceptional versatility under-sung. With the profusion of pink we see this time of year, February is the month of la vie en rosé, which is why we asked Devon Magee, Wine Specialist at JJ Buckley Fine Wines, to share why he thinks rosé is righteousness year round.
To celebrate black history month, Charles Communications sits down with Oregon’s first recorded black winemaker, Bertony Faustin of Abbey Creek Vineyard, to discuss his documentary inspired by his effort raise awareness of minorities in the wine industry.
As we dive into the New Year, the Charles Communications team recommits ourselves to sustainability. It is thanks to the many eco-conscious producers and green businesses here in San Francisco that we are fortunate enough to eat in good conscience and do our part to save the earth. This week on All the Swirl, CCA intern Jules Lydon profiles the sustainable “wine pub” in our own Bay Area backyard: Jamber.
