Donkey & Goat, Grenache Noir 2020, El Dorado, CA

A fresh and bright natural-style Grenache Noir, this one’s earthy and savory, with aromas of peppercorn, sage, and sour cherry. 

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: California

APPELLATION (AVA): El Dorado

REGION: Sierra Foothills

VINEYARD(S): Girard & Fenaughty

VINTAGE: 2020

GRAPES: 100% Grenache Noir (Tablas Creek clone)

SOIL: Hotow, Aiken, Argonaut Loam

PRACTICE: Organic

VINIFICATION: Wild yeast & bacteria in wood vat for 11-12 days. Aged 7 months in neutral French oak barrels. Bottled unfiltered.

PRODUCTION: 164 cases made

STYLE: Still

COLOR: Light garnet

BODY: Medium body

TASTE: Dry

TANNINS: Moderate

PRIMARY AROMAS: Peppercorn, sage, rosemary, fresh tart cherry, earthy

FLAVOR: Fresh and bright, earthy, savory

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 12.5%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: Pair with a lentil and herb salad.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Donkey & Goat Winery

“Donkey & Goat is celebrated for being amongst a handful of pioneers in the Natural Wine community because in 2004 they were unique for their ecological principles driving decisions in both the vineyard and the cellar and ten years later for promoting transparency, being one of the first to list ingredients on their label. Founding winemakers Jared Brandt & Tracey Rogers spent a year with the inimitable Eric Texier in 2002 studying the art of crafting natural wines in the Rhone Valley before co-founding Donkey & Goat in 2004 in San Francisco.” (donkeyandgoat.com)

ABOUT THE VINEYARDS: Fenaughty Vineyard

“In 2003 after a year in the Rhone Valley with the inimitable Eric Texier, we found our way to Ron Mansfield via an 8’ geologic map of California and a life-changing bottle of the 1993 Edmunds St. John Wylie Fenuaghty Syrah. It took us two years to convince Ron to trust his fruit in our hands and we made our first vintage in 2005. That was the start of our longest grower relationship and together we helped put El Dorado on the radar for Rhone fans around the world. Since then our partnership with Ron and Chuck has only flourished, growing to multiple Apple Hill vineyards and the entire gamut of Rhone varietals.

“Without a doubt, Fenaughty Vineyard is a  jewel of the Sierra Foothills and one of the most celebrated vineyards we get to work with. Perched at 2,800 feet, this once apple and stonefruit orchard now boasts one of the most extensive collections of Rhone varieties in California. Fenaughty’s plantings range from 40-year-old own-rooted Syrah to newer plantings of Bourboulenc, Clairette, Gamay, and Terret Noir bringing the last count up to 17 different varieties. Fenaughty’s rugged steep slopes, warm days and cool nights, and bright red iron-rich volcanic soils provide the optimal growing environment for rhone varieties to thrive.” (donkeyandgoat.com)