Wine Down Thursday: Field Recordings
April 30 from 6 to 7:30pm
Sampler: $20/person
Sometimes the best way to find great wine is to look where no one else is watching. This week, we are featuring Field Recordings, the brainchild of Andrew Jones. By day, Andrew is a vine nurseryman, stepping into nearly every vineyard on the Central Coast. This "boots on the ground" expertise allows him to find small, forgotten parcels of heritage vines and overlooked sites that others pass by. The result? Wines with a distinct sense of place, a touch of grit, and a lot of soul. Join us as we explore three of Andrew’s most iconic bottlings that celebrate the diversity of California’s Central Coast.
2024 Field Recordings Chenin Blanc
This is a serious study in California Chenin Blanc, sourced from an incredible quartet of vineyards: Chalone, Jurassic Park, Le Bon Climat, and Shell Creek. By sourcing from these distinct sites, ranging from the high-elevation limestone of Chalone to the ancient sea-beds of Jurassic Park, Andrew creates a Chenin with remarkable depth. Fermented in stainless steel to preserve its piercing acidity, the wine leads with green apple and wet stone. It finishes with a saline snap that reflects its coastal roots.
2023 Field Recordings Skins
‘Skins’ has become a benchmark for accessible, well-crafted skin-contact whites. A blend of twelve varieties both red and white. The wine spends several weeks macerating on the skins to extract its characteristic amber hue and a distinctive tannic structure. While the nose is highly aromatic, full of apricot pits and dried citrus peel, the palate is bone-dry with a structured, tea-like grip. It is a sophisticated, food-friendly wine that bridges the gap between white and red.
2024 Field Recordings Fiction
Fiction’ was the very first wine Andrew Jones produced and remains the ultimate expression of his field blend philosophy. Sourced from the rugged hills of Paso Robles, this multi-varietal blend is built for the table. It balances lush dark berry fruit with savory notes of cracked black pepper and forest floor. It is an approachable, soulful red that prioritizes the character of the vintage over a rigid recipe.