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Las Jaras

Las Jaras

Las Jaras Chenin Blanc 2022

Las Jaras Chenin Blanc 2022

Regular price $33.00
Regular price Sale price $33.00
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Varietal: Zinfandel, Carignan, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Carbernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay

Region: California

Country: United States

Volume: 750ml

Inspired by Joel’s spirited five-year-old daughter Cézanne, this Chenin Blanc has a bold personality that’s as memorable as it is compelling. It’s a wine that keeps you captivated with layers of intense minerality balanced by savory undertones that linger with power and precision. This addition to the Las Jaras lineup embodies the style of complex, savory whites that Joel and Eric have long admired.

Vineyard Origins:
The fruit for this Chenin Blanc comes from the Norgard Vineyard in Talmage, Mendocino, established in 1980 with a quadrilateral cordon system that was popular at the time. This conventionally farmed vineyard yields grapes that are carefully harvested for balance and purity.

Winemaking Approach:
To craft a Chenin Blanc with brightness, depth, and a distinct mineral edge, the focus was on preserving fresh flavors and high acidity while avoiding oxidative aromas. The grapes were picked at 18.5 Brix, just as a hint of ripe fruit flavor emerged. Whole-cluster pressing minimized skin contact and kept the wine vibrant. Fermentation took place in two concrete eggs and a new demi-muid, with the wood imparting subtle roundness to balance the mineral-driven structure. Apart from a touch of sulfur before bottling, this wine is entirely untouched—no fining, filtering, or additives.

Aging Potential:
With proper storage at a cool, stable temperature, this Chenin Blanc will continue to evolve beautifully over several years. The choice of cork minimizes oxygen exchange, allowing the wine to mature gracefully without losing freshness.

Tasting Notes:
This Chenin Blanc offers waves of Comice pear and wet stone on the nose, followed by layers of dried white peach, apricot, white cherry, and nuances of toasted almond and clove. The finish is long and beautifully mineral, with a touch of salinity and refreshing acidity that leave you wanting more. It’s a textural experience for those who appreciate wines with both richness and tension.

Food Pairing Suggestions:
This wine pairs wonderfully with dishes that showcase fresh, bright flavors, like fish tacos, oysters, salads, and grilled vegetables or seafood. The vibrant acidity and minerality enhance these light, summery foods, making each sip as exciting as the last.

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About Winemaker

Las Jaras

In a garage, two friends, Joel, a winemaker, and Eric, a comedian and food blogger, began their journey into the world of natural wine, founding Las Jaras. Their venture started with Joel's unique sparkling Carignan, inspiring Eric with its freshness compared to traditional Champagnes and Californian wines. Joel introduced Eric to classical European wines, leading them to develop Las Jaras, blending classical and natural wine-making approaches.

Their debut wine, the 2015 Sweet Berry Wine, featuring a label with Eric's comedy partner, John C. Reilly, attracted comedy fans to their low-intervention wines. This marked the start of their winery, expanding their range with various grapes and styles, from a deep Rosato to a light carbonic red called Glou Glou. Eric describes their wine-making as a personal journey, influenced by evolving tastes and inspiration from friends in the wine community, like Andy and Joe Swick.

Despite their differing tastes, Joel and Eric harmonize their wine preferences seamlessly. Eric believes in supporting Joel's passion, emphasizing collaboration over ego, a philosophy he applies to his comedy partnerships as well. They focus on a clean, minimalist approach in the cellar, picking grapes at optimal ripeness, experimenting with different vessels, and minimal oak, aiming to preserve the natural essence of the wine. Their commitment to quality is evident in their sourcing of organic grapes since 2018, encouraging growers to adopt organic practices.

Las Jaras stands out from typical celebrity-endorsed wines due to their genuine dedication to quality. Initially facing skepticism, Eric's passion for food and wine has earned respect from peers, winemakers, and restaurant managers alike.

So..What's natural wine again?

  • No synthetic molecules in the vines
  • Plowing or other solutions to avoid chemical herbicides
  • Use of indigenous yeast
  • Handpicked grapes
  • Low to no filtering
  • Low to no sulfites
  • Winemaking that respects the grapes: no pumping or rough handling
    of the grapes
  • no micro-oxygenation

Not all of our wines are natural; some are simply organic or sustainable.
However, they're all delicious and good for you!