Andis Wines Rates 93 points

With winemaking, we follow one rule - to produce wines with a distinct sense of place. Or as I like to say, great wines taste like they come from somewhere. Lesser wines taste as they could be from anywhere.

Our Estate Winemaker, Mark Fowler, and I work with two internationally recognized winemaking consultants - Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky, partners at Atelier Melka, who assist us with making sure this standard is met.

And we’re proud to note, it is. 

Our mission to produce quality wines was most recently recognized by Wine Enthusiast, three of our wines receiving a 93 point rating.

As seen in Feb/March 2023 Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide…

93 pts Andis 2020 Petite Sirah (Sierra Foothills)

This full-bodied, generous wine has lots to give and will offer even more as it ages. Notes convey plump black plum, blackberry, dried black cherry, fresh and dried violets, and chocolate. Hints of spice meat and barnyard add depth and complexity, making the wine both fun and interesting. 

93 pts Andis 2020 Shake Ridge Ranch Reserve Zinfandel (Sierra Foothills) 

This very layered wine is almost naughty in its decadence and deliciousness. Plump ripe fruit notes of bright red cherry, black plum and boysenberry join with complementary tones of vanilla, nutmeg, black tea, chocolate, black olive and game meat. Tannins are mouth coating yet smooth. The finish provides a lingering integration of aromas and flavors. 

93 Andis 2020 Cabernet Franc (Sierra Foothills)

While enjoyable now, this wine will only get better with time. Currently, barrel aromas lead, with notes of fresh cedar, vanilla, star anise, cinnamon stick and chocolate. These override beautiful fruits and florals of boysenberry, blackberry, fig and violets. Tannins are still a bit tightly wound but the potential of this wine to age with elegance and grace is obvious. 

90 pts Andis 2020 Di Stasio Vineyard Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel (Sierra Foothills)

This is a big red wine that’s not overly bold or boisterous about it. Concentrated aromas and flavors bring forth notes of black cherry, chocolate, boysenberry, plum, clove, toasted wood, black tea, fennel fronds, cinnamon stick and cola. Tannins are firm and grippy, adding textural integrity. A pleasant acidity ensures freshness from start to finish.

Mar 21, 2023 at 8:54 AM Permalink

Celebrating International Women's Day & Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month - a time when we take a moment to celebrate the vital roles women have played in American history and beyond. 

As a majority woman-owned business, this is especially significant to us where a low percentage of women work in the wine industry. These women are still considered trailblazers, which would include our co-founder and executive winemaker, Janis Akuna, as well as our partner and COO, Jenae Plasse.

In 2020, Women Winemakers reported that out of 4,200 bonded wineries in California, only 14 percent had a woman as their lead winemaker. 

Janis recently spoke about the low percentage of female vintners and the honest challenges she faces as a winemaker. 

Does she believe there’s issues the industry needs to address? Absolutely, and it’s only starting to gain momentum.

Still, the increasing number of aspiring female vintners or those seeking management roles, show there is change on the horizon. An industry that will one day be more diversified and inclusive, thanks to trailblazers like Janis and Jenae. 

Andis Wines wouldn’t be what it is today without them and we thank them for all that they do.

Mar 8, 2023 at 10:35 AM Permalink

What Makes Our 2020 Shake Ridge Zinfandel Special?

Every wine has a story to tell and our 2020 Shake Ridge Zinfandel is definitely one worth sharing. 

Not everyone may know this, but our in-house winemaker, Mark Fowler, used to work for Shake Ridge Ranch’s acclaimed vineyard owner, Ann Kraemer. Mark is a second generation foothill winemaker who soaked in Ann’s expertise, which spans years of working in Napa Valley, Chile and Oregon.

Shake Ridge Ranch is an adolescent by vineyard standards, just starting to yield fruit in 2005; yet, because of Ann’s meticulous vineyard practices, it continues to bring attention to our area, including elite vintners throughout Napa and Sonoma.

“If there’s an aesthetic thread that courses through wines from Shake Ridge Ranch - it’s effusive aromas, generous yet tempered tannins, and fealty to any given grape variety’s color, texture and flavor, “ noted by wine writer Mike Dunne, who wrote about the vineyard in 2019 for the San Francisco Chronicle.

In fact, few vineyards, especially as young as Shake Ridge Ranch, have as many wines listed on Napa Valley’s acclaimed restaurant, The French Laundry - 11 total.

With a long waiting list of winemakers hoping for the opportunity to purchase her grapes, it wasn’t until some of Ann’s clients dropped out during the panic of 2020, that we had a chance to secure her Zinfandel grapes. 

Ann stopped by for a barrel tasting with Mark last August to check up on her “babies.”

Her verdict?

“Well done, Mark. It’s going to be a good wine.” 

And so it is…

We are producing a limited production line (150-200 cases) from some of the foothills most prized Zinfandel vineyards, including, of course, Shake Ridge Ranch, as well as Fox Creek, Distasio (1911), and Friedlander Estate. All the Zinfandels from this limited release series will be offered first to Club Andis members and available for tasting at special events only.

93 points - Wine Enthusiast 
Andis 2020 Shake Ridge Ranch Reserve Zinfandel (Sierra Foothills). This very layered wine is almost naughty in its decadence and deliciousness. Plump ripe fruit notes of bright red cherry, black plum and boysenberry join with complementary tones of vanilla, nutmeg, black tea, chocolate, black olive and game meat. Tannins are mouth coating yet smooth. The finish provides a lingering integration of aromas and flavors. — S.B.

Mar 1, 2023 at 7:47 AM Permalink