2022 Frenchtown Farms Pearl Thief White

This white wine hails from Renaissance Vineyard in Yuba County and is produced using distinct, detail‐oriented methods. In one approach, a blend is crafted from two grape varieties—Sauvignon Blanc and a second variety (reported as Roussanne in some accounts and Semillon in others) in roughly equal proportions. The Sauvignon Blanc is harvested in early August and receives a 5‐day skin and stem maceration before being pressed at the first signs of fermentation. Its counterpart, harvested in early September, undergoes a short maceration of 1–2 days and is then pressed into stainless steel tanks to complete fermentation. After extraction, the separate juices are combined and homogenized, then transferred to a puncheon fitted with a neutral French oak barrel where the wine is aged for 6 months. A second production method employs whole-cluster processing with foot-stomping and native fermentation in open-top tanks. This minimal intervention approach avoids racking, fining, or filtering—aside from a small SO₂ addition at bottling—and features extended lees contact for up to 11 months. Both methods underscore a focus on vineyard-sourced terroir and precise handling at each stage of winemaking, reflecting a commitment to structured, traditional practices alongside innovative techniques.