Recent news, stories from the winemaker, happenings around the winery, recipes and more!
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
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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
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A Rising Star, Chef David Jitaro Fujimura
Feb 22, 2023 at 8:53 AM
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Andis Partners with Junior Achievement of Sacramento
We're offering $5 meatball plates to guests throughout the month of February as an endeavor to support the Junior Achievement of Sacramento.
This is an extension from our January efforts to raise funds when guests could enjoy a bowl of soup for $5. All soup and meatball sales will be donated to the nonprofit.
Junior Achievement is the nation’s largest organization (with more than 103 operations across the nation!) dedicated to giving young people the skills they need to make wise career decisions. Many of their alumni earn college degrees and even go on to start their own businesses as adults.
Junior Acheivement depends on volunteers to mentor young people. They come from all walks of life, including business professionals, college students, parents and retirees.
We love this program's vision and believe every little bit helps. Even a $5 plate of meatballs.
To learn more about this program, visit JASAC.org. Please stop by for a plate so we can donate!
Feb 8, 2023 at 9:31 AM
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Ellen Clifford of Delectable.com Disrobes our Semillon
Delectable.com
Ellen Clifford
Old World vs. New World: Sémillon
A shadowy figure Sémillon cuts; DOES IT EVEN EXIST?! It’s a mysterious grape that knows how to blend in. And it sports disguise names—perhaps it is a spy! But reporting to whom?
No, Sémillon has an identity all its own that strikes me as a secret love child of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. It has that lanolin lick that gives it weight reminiscent of Chenin Blanc, and is likewise prone to botrytis, but can be herby and lemony and have striking acidity that calls to mind Sauvignon Blanc. Or is it just that it gets blended with Sauvignon Blanc, so we get confused? To add to the ball of confusion, given age, Sémillon gets those fun toasty and honeyed notes.
It has its idiosyncrasies, and yet it hides.
It takes cover behind the names Bordeaux and Sauternes . It masks itself in blends, botrytis, and oak…maybe Sémillon (also sometimes spelled without the accent over the e) WANTS to remain under the radar. Well, I’m blowing its cover. Sorry, Sémi, your time has come. Now take off your baggy wool sweater and strut your stuff.
I’m so sorry, I don’t mean to objectify it; it’s just more people should seek it out. This is my opinion, but you’re welcome to borrow it.
True, some of the most famed Sémillon-based wines are Sauternes, that lusciously sweet and ethereal nectar that gets its kick from noble rot. Those are another story. One I should write soon, probably.
But today I am looking at the dry Sémillon-based wines of the world.
Sémillon is mysterious in roots as it is in personality. It is similar to Sauvignon Blanc genetically, but they don’t seem to have a parent-child relationship. Its origins may be in Bordeaux’s Left Bank, or even the Entre-Deux-Mer, but confoundingly enough, it might be named for local pronunciation of St-Émilion, despite the fact that Semillon isn’t really cultivated there. But that is just a rumor.
I confess I likely tasted some of these far earlier than they would show best—although I’ve been told that during the first few years, they can be be great, then shut down until they are maybe 7. At least this is the lore of Hunter Valley.
Speaking of, shower wine pick? I’m going with the Andis Old Vines. Old vines because I like a wine from a vine with experience if it's gonna see me naked.
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CALIFORNIA
2019 Andis Wines Bill Dillian Old Vine Semillon
Andis is a perennial favorite of mine. Out of undersung Amador they also make a Barbera that makes my heartstrings go pling. But I’ll stick with the Semillon review right now. This Semillon would be a daytime robe. It is comforting, with plush apples and honey notes and the body of silk but its medium weight silk you want to wrap yourself in. But the acidity is acute, so you can get some work done while wearing it. It’s actually a robe that can translate from work-from-home robe to home dance party when the day is over and you are ready for fun robe, as it ends with flowery notes that invite you to party.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ANDIS SEMILLON
Apr 22, 2021 at 2:11 PM
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