The holidays are right around the corner, and if you haven’t started planning those special meals yet, it is time to start thinking about what to have on that dinner table. Delicious food will be enjoyed, light-hearted laughter will make things merry, and the happiness you feel will create forever memories and strengthen bonds between you and those you love. How about choosing a special wine? I can help you choose one that is perfect for a festive, family feel.
I was recently introduced to Fathers + Daughters Cellars, a small production, ultra-premium winery located in Mendocino County’s famed Anderson Valley.
Fathers & Daughters Cellars is one family’s labor of love to produce artisanal wines from the Anderson Valley’s storied Ferrington Vineyard. Small batches, carefully handcrafted and fermented using old-world techniques, yield wines that are truly reflective of their terroir.
F+D Cellars made their first wine in 2012, a Pinot Noir to celebrate the birth of their daughter, Ella. Since then, three generations of the family have produced an ever-growing collection of artisanal wines. All of the F+D wines are made by Phil Baxter, a winemaker known for a light touch that truly allows each varietal to express its terroir and vintage. Since their first Pinot, they have added three varietals (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer), as well as a wonderful blend of three whites called The Dance. Steel-barrel aging the whites yields vibrant, crisp wines; while a restrained use of oak on the Pinot Noir produces a delicate, balanced red. Last year, they added a rustic sparkling wine (known in wine circles as a pet nat, or pétillant naturel), and a hard cider created by vineyard manager, Norman Kobler, from apple trees on the Ferrington property. They call it Apple Kobler.
Wines from Fathers + Daughters Cellars:
- Sarah’s Rustic Bubbles (pétillant naturel): $19
- 2014 Ella’s Reserve Pinot Noir: $42
- 2016 Chardonnay: $28
- 2016 Sauvignon Blanc: $25
- 2016 Gewurztraminer: $30
- 2016 The Dance (white blend): $28
- Apple Kobler (Hard Cider): $16
These are the perfect wines to celebrate special holiday occasions and the blessings of family (Sarah’s Rustic Bubbles and the 2014 Ella’s Reserve Pinot are especially good for holiday revels). And like the relationship between a father and daughter, these wines will continue to evolve as they mature.
For further information, please visit https://fanddcellars.com/
*Product received. All opinions are my own.