2019 A Tribute to Grace Wine Company Shake Ridge Ranch Grenache, 1.5ltr

A Tribute to Grace is a mouthful for the name of a winery. But for Angela Osborne, the young New Zealand-born founder and winemaker, the name makes perfect sense. She chose the name to honor her grandmother Grace and the quality of grace, both of which have been important in her life. Osborne’s own story is graceful. She worked in the wine business in London before becoming enamored with Grenache and dedicating herself to its perfect expression. She was working as an assistant winemaker in Santa Barbara in 2007 when she launched her own label, making Grenache from a single vineyard, the Santa Barbara Highlands. Today she continues to make Grenache only, sourcing grapes from throughout California’s hotter grape growing regions. She also makes a Grenache rosé. In 2015 The San Francisco Chronicle named Osborne one of 10 Rising Stars in West Coast winemaking. Vinous has noted that “Angela Osborne is making some of the most distinctive Rhône-varietal wines on the West Coast.”

Sierra Foothills AVA is in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and it includes parts of eight counties. With total acreage of 2.6 million acres, and nearly 6,000 vineyard acres, it is one of the largest appellations in California. Wine grapes were planted in the foothills during the Gold Rush in the mid-19th century and the appellation was officially recognized in 1987. There are five sub-appellations within the Sierra Foothills region, and more than 100 wineries, most small and family-owned. Zinfandel is the most successful wine grape in this region, though Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are also planted.

One of the most popular red varieties planted, it ripens late and prefers hot dry climates. It probably originated in Spain, where it is still widely grown. Grenache is best known for its use in Southern Rhone wines, including those of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.