Bailiwick Vermentino 2014
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Maybe it was genetic, but these two brothers started making wine in a basement 25 years ago, and later in various garages, with time acquiring the skills and confidence in preparation for a commercial venture. Careers in engineering, high technology, and finance consumed the efforts for many years, but you only go around once, so they founded Bailiwick in the fall of 2009. The Vais brothers now source from vineyards in multiple appellations, seeking differentiated expressions of each varietal. They literally travel hundreds of miles each year seeking vineyards and growers aligned with our vision for quality and expressiveness.
The wines these two brothers produce are personal; they are what they would choose for their own table. They revel in wines that reward close inspection, that seem to make time slow down as your senses flood with subtle attributes of aroma and taste. Crafted to harmonize with food, our wines lead to memorable fusions of aroma, flavor, friends, time and place.
A fantastic, aromatic white grape that grows with great success in Sardinia, Tuscany and in lesser proportions on the island of Corsica. Somm Secret—Vermentino is thought to be genetically identical to Liguria’s Pigato grape and Peidmont’s Favorita. It comprises a large proportion of the whites in southern France where it is called Rolle.
Responsible for the vast majority of American wine production, if California were a country, it would be the world’s fourth largest wine-producing nation. The state’s diverse terrain and microclimates allow for an incredible range of red wine styles, and unlike tradition-bound Europe, experimentation is more than welcome here. California wineries range from tiny, family-owned boutiques to massive corporations, and price and production are equally varied. Plenty of inexpensive bulk wine is made in the Central Valley area, while Napa Valley is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious and expensive “cult” wines.
Each American Viticultural Area (AVA) and sub-AVA of has its own distinct personality, allowing California to produce red wine of every fashion: from bone dry to unctuously sweet, still to sparkling, light and fresh to rich and full-bodied. In the Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate vineyard acreage. Sonoma County is best known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosé and Zinfandel. The Central Coast has carved out a niche with Rhône Blends based on Grenache and Syrah, while Mendocino has found success with cool climate varieties such as Pinot noir, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. With all the diversity that California wine has to offer, any wine lover will find something to get excited about here.