Two Shepherds - 'Bechtold Ranch' - Cinsault - Lodi, CA - 2019
Regular price $22.00
Unit price per
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Request a Case Order From the famed 135 year old Bechthold Vineyard in Lodi, the oldest surviving Cinsault Vineyard in the world. This dry farmed, organic vineyard has very low yield, and produces a very complex expression of this variety, normally best as a blending grape.
Always 100% whole cluster, foot tread, fermented with native yeast in small ½ ton bins. Gently pressed to neutral barrel to age on heavy lees for 10 months, then bottled.
Nestled in the Mokelumne River area of Lodi, the organically dry farmed vineyard with head-trained vines is believed to be the world’s oldest surviving Cinsault vineyard.
Its thick-trunked and gnarly twisted vines resemble short trees rather than grape vines.
Aging: 8 Months Neutral French oak
Fermentation: small 1/2 ton open top
Two Shepherds is the labor of passion founded by William Allen, well known Rhône enthusiast and former wine blogger. William was a garagiste for years before moving into commercial production in 2010.
Two Shepherds started as a one person micro winery in 2010. In 2015 William was joined by his partner Karen Daenen, a wine industry veteran, and head of consumer research for a multi-brand winery, as they moved into their own production facility in Windsor.
William focuses on day to day wine making while Karen, the Chief Shepherdess, runs foot stomping, blending trials, marketing, accounting, design and other key elements to the business.
Two Shepherds specializes (primarily) in Rhone varieties from cool climate or old vine vineyards and unique plantings, made with minimal intervention. Use of native yeast, no additions other than minimal S02, neutral barrel fermentation and aging, whole cluster, and unfined, unfiltered production are core philosophies of Two Shepherds. Production has grown from 175 cases in 2010, to 4200+ cases, still all 25-400 case small lots, thus William’s nickname – “insane master of small lots.”
Our philosophy is to embrace how wines were made for hundreds of years, before the introduction of chemicals and flavor manipulation. We guide our wines along, protect them from harm, and otherwise do not intervene. This old world style allows for the true expression of the variety, vintage and vineyard.
All of our wines are aged in neutral barrels that subtly enhance the wines' texture, but impart no oak flavors. Our wines are fermented naturally with native yeast, are aged on the lees, with minimal sulfur and are minimally racked.
We focus on Rhône and uncommon varieties, often from the only few acres available in California. While our total production is small, our offerings are vast. Nicknamed ‘insane master of small lots’, William crafts about 15 different wines each vintage, including some that are only 1 – 2 barrels.
These are old world, elegant wines focused on brightness, subtlety and texture. We hope you enjoy them.
Cheers!
William & Karen