La Clarine Farm: Natural Wine is not just from France

Hank Beckmeyer and Caroline Hoel, the owners of La Clarine Farm, are part of a growing contingent of California winemakers who are making natural wine. Yes, they grow their grapes organically but their approach goes much further.

They have adopted farming ideology from both Rudolph Steiner (the founder of Biodynamics) and Masanobu Fukuoka, who proposed minimal intervention or 'do nothing' farming.
Their wines are also made with native yeasts, aged in neutral oak barrels,are unfiltered, unfined and have minimal sulfur added at bottling.

Most importantly, the wines are delicious.

Not to mention, the farm's commitment to biodiversity with olive and fig trees, and a herd of angora goats, from which they make goat cheese and natural soaps.

La Clarine Syrah 2008 $20 (BUY IT HERE)
Very pure blueberry flavors, great acids, some eucalyptus and pine aromas, earthy, very balanced and clean, did not feel hot even with 14.9 alcohol (This number made me wince but California is a warm , sunny climate).



*I received the La Clarine Syrah as a wine sample. I have no other affiliation with La Clarine Farm.

Farmstead Wines: Small Producers, Honest Wines

There is lots to love about Farmstead Wines. Not only is founder, Anthony Nicalo , passionate about selling delicious wines made with organic grapes and no additives but he also utilizes innovative and far-reaching business techniques involving technology and community supported agriculture.

All of Farmstead's wine offerings are carefully chosen from small producers who do not use chemical fertilizers, herbicides or fungicides. Additionally, these wines are made with native yeasts and have minimal added sulfites.

There are some great Holiday Wine Packages from Farmstead available right now as well.
For 25% discount and free shipping on full cases, please enter this code at checkout: holiday15

And for those wine lovers looking to have a deeper relationship with the wine producers they purchase from, there is the Vinaroon CSA program. CSA stands for community supported agriculture. This wine club program allows consumers to purchase wines directly from small producers that would not normally be available in North America. Club members get discount pricing, detailed updates and videos about vineyard progress and winemaking techniques, as well as invitations to special events.

'Cradle of Wine' celebrates wine's birthplace

I think this event wins as the most interesting and less cheesy holiday related wine tasting theme. Pretty cool idea to focus on wines from regions where wine was first produced. I am heading down to Pourtal Wine Bar tonight to help out Israeli Wines Direct. But I am also looking forward to trying the amphora wines from the Republic of Georgia (from Terrell Wines). And there are lots of vino treats coming out of Croatia that will be fun to taste as well.



December 1, 7-10pm, POURTAL Wine Bar, Santa Monica, CA
Cradle of Wine Program Launch with representatives from Israeli Wines Direct, Terrell Wines, Blue Danube Wines, Epic Wines, and Wine Warehouse showcasing wines from Hungary, Montenegro, Israel, Croatia, Lebanon and Republic of Georgia. A Choice of 5 tastes for $10


"In recognition of the fact that ’tis the season to drink and be merry, and as a nod to Biblical holidays this month, Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar in Santa Monica has created a month long tasting program for December, featuring singular wines from both the ancient and modern birthplaces of wine, and events to tempt LA wine and food lovers. The Cradle of Wine series kicks off December 1st with all featured importers from the program on hand to pour their wines from 7-10pm.
The history of wine spans thousands of years and is closely entwined with the history of agriculture, cuisine, civilization and certain religions. There are over 200 references to wine in the Bible and archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest ancient wine production came from Iran, and in modern (6,000 years ago) times, from Republic of Georgia.
Pourtal owner Stephen Abronson, wine director Rachel Bryan and consulting wine director Peter Birmingham have been researching this region for the past six months to uncover wines not generally available that are old-world, and traditional in style, affordable and as Bryan says, “absolutely delicious.”"