Winemaker Notes
Sawbuck wines are made from grapes grown in the northern edge of the California wine country: Mendocino and Yolo Counties. Both are unique growing regions that are left of center of the mainstream. Often overlooked they offer wines of incredible quality at a value price.
When owners John and Lane Giguiere started their first winery in 1983, they were young and enthusiastic with dreams much bigger than their bank account. The first years were financed by credit cards and hope until they felt like they were down to their last Sawbuck before R.H. Phillips and Toasted Head became wine brands.
Covering the most vine acreage in the state compared to any other red wine variety, Cabernet Sauvignon produces as much wine in California as Merlot and Pinot Noir combined. The state’s diverse terrain and microclimates, as well as the freedom of its winemakers, allow for an incredible range of wine styles from this single grape.
California’s most famous region—and especially for Cabernet Sauvignon—is the acclaimed Napa Valley. While Cabernet is successful throughout the world, rarely has it achieved such merit as it does from the Napa Valley. At this point the two are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other.
Napa’s closest neighbor, Sonoma County, does an impressive job keeping up with Napa’s fame and glory. Alexander Valley, Sonoma Mountain, Moon Mountain and Knights Valley contribute to the lot of some of California’s top-rated Cabernet Sauvignon.
Lake County in California’s North Coast has become a focus for some of Napa’s more respected growers. From the Central Coast come iconic examples of classic California Cabernet; Lodi and the Sierra Foothills are great budget-friendly sources of amicable Cabernets.