A Tribute To Women’s History Month ~ Our Favorite Leaders

March is Women’s History Month, a moment when we celebrate the women who have helped build our nation. The theme for 2024 is “Women who advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion” ~ the very mantra our CEO, Janis Akuna, has chanted as part of the culture for Andis Wines since she founded the winery with her husband, Andy Friedlander. 

Today we’d like to share a list of some amazing women we work with ~ some farmers, small business owners, as well as talented artists and artisans.

Janis Akuna

As our CEO and Executive Winemaker, she is one of the minorities trailblazing the way for women working in the wine industry; however, being a minority within an industry is not new to her. 

Before establishing Andis Wines, Janis worked at a prominent Wall Street firm for more than 40 years as a Certified Financial Planner and Wealth Advisor ~ an industry she comments as “dominated” by men. 

After retiring from corporate America and establishing Andis Wines, she decided to earn a winemaking certification from UC Davis. For the past few years she has been working during harvest and assisting our Estate Winemaker, Mark Fowler.

Janis also holds an MBA from the University of Hawaii and is involved with much of the strategic planning at Andis Wines.

Terry Harvey 

Terry is the Vineyard Manager for Andis, as well as the Original Grandpere Vineyard. She acquired the historic Amador County vineyard in the late 1980s, where she has played an intricate role in preserving the old vines ~ documented to be the oldest in California. Growing up as a local farmer’s daughter, she has proven to have the hands and disposition required to keep the vineyard in remarkable shape.

“You’ve probably heard of vineyards where one person claims to know each and every vine, like people. I actually do,” she said.

We are honored to be one of only four wineries she trusts to produce Old Vine Zinfandel from the fruit she so meticulously cares for.

Ann Kraemer 

Some say she farms with the devotion of a monk. Perhaps it is that tenacity that makes her renowned for her fruit at Shake Ridge Ranch in Amador County. She also happens to be among the first female vineyard managers in California. Needless to say, there is a waiting list to buy grapes from the ranch and her standards for who can take care of her “babies” are high. 

Similar to Terry, we’ve earned her trust and we are forever grateful for it. Our Zinfandel 2021 from her vineyard just scored 94 points from Wine Enthusiast. 

Tracey Berkner 

A tireless advocate for our area, Tracey is the driving force behind much of the attention Amador County receives. She and her husband Mark are owners of Taste Restaurant, highly-rated by Zagat and praised by The New York Times for its seasonal chef-driven fare, and might we add, its selection of wines - including two Andis Wines. 

We’ve had the pleasure of partnering with Tracey on a variety of wine pairings. Rest, her boutique hotel, another contribution to our area, is also one of our favorite recommendations for our out-of-town guests.

Ali Ward 

She recently purchased Element Restaurant and the Hanford House Inn in Sutter Creek. She serves two of our wines at the restaurant. Element is one of our favorite local restaurants and is in good hands with Ali. Like Rest, Hanford House is another favorite recommendation we make to our out-of-town guests.

Alissa Brundige and Angela Taylor

The two purchased Annabelle’s Chocolate Lounge in 2021, a local favorite for nearly 20 years. Both have a passion for keeping Annabelle’s vision alive. Not only do they sell some of the best chocolate locally, which we offer at our tasting room as gifts or special pairings, they also give back whenever they can ~ making donations to various organizations and assisting with fundraisers.

Angelika Feldman

Co-owner of Flora & Fauna Provisions, Angelika is an amazing chef and cheesemonger. Flora & Fauna Provisions was among the six finalists in the Calling All Dreamers program, which helps entrepreneurs open businesses in downtown Sacramento. Her dream is now open for coffee, breakfast and lunch.

Angelika and partner, Christopher Lee, have hosted several pop-ups at our winery and are set to shuck some oysters for us March 16th - you’re coming, right?

And the list goes on. The artisans and artists featured at our tasting room….

Heather Barnes, StoneyWear

Miki Namiki, Hand and Mine Creation Jewelry

Jace and Sara Becker, Backroad Beekeeping

Woman-Owned, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. (We serve their Toma Cheese)

They’ve been awarded the official certification from The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) ~ The largest certifier of business owners and entrepreneurs. They were also awarded the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification.

Anje Olmstead, Collage Artist

Jennifer Peart, Landscape Painter

Cathline Berglund, Painter

Annie Galvin, Painter and Collage Artist

 

Winter Revelry: Andis Old Vine Zinfandel Pairings

 

Discover the winter wonders of Andis Old Vine Zinfandel as we explore its versatile pairings with the season's hearty and savory delights.

We’re now offering Reserve Zinfandel flights at our tasting room throughout the month of January.

RESERVE ZINFANDEL FLIGHT $25 PER PERSON / $15 CLUB ANDIS
* $15 credit towards 2 bottle purchase from Reserve Flight Wines

Meat Marvels

From barbeque pork ribs to a robust leg of lamb or any big, hearty meal, our Old Vine Zinfandel’s richness makes it a perfect match for red meat and smoked chili-infused dishes ~ like baby back ribs, brisket, and spicy sausages. It’s worth the wait to stand in line at local legend Lockeford Sausages for a Smoked Dakota Bratwurst to savor with your glass of Zinfandel.

Cheeseboard Elegance

Elevate your cheeseboard experience with our Old Vine Zinfandel ~ pairs exceptionally well with stronger cheeses, smoked varieties, and blues. Try it with the bold notes of Gorgonzola for a delightful combination. Visit our tasting room to indulge in a selection of curated cheeses hand selected by our Tasting Room Manager, Nicole Fasciana. Red Butte Hatch Chili by Beehive Cheese is a staff favorite to pair with our Estate Friedlander Old Vine Zinfandel.

Braised Delights: Big and Beefy, Slow and Savory

Whether it's short ribs, ox cheek, or a Mexican mole, Zinfandel shines when paired with big, beefy creations cooked long and slow.

Loaded Burgers and Zin's Coping Skills

Indulge on loaded burgers with cheese, bacon, onions, and pickles ~ Zinfandel copes effortlessly with these robust flavors. The delightful acidity found in Andis Zinfandel slices through the richest of burgers ~ infusing a burst of fruitiness that enlivens the meat.

Grilled Vegetables and Roasted Roots: A Harmony of Flavors

Prefer a veggie option? Our Zinfandel pairs seamlessly with grilled vegetables like eggplant, bell peppers, and zucchini. Extend the pairing to roasted root vegetables, such as carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes, for a winter feast.

Soul-Warming Soups: Zinfandel's Hold on Hearty Stews

Experience the warmth of winter with Zinfandel's ability to hold up to heartiness. Pair it with tomato-based soups and stews like minestrone or tomato bisque for a comforting and flavorful combination. A guest favorite, we recommend pairing our Zinfandels with Pumpkin Sausage Soup. This delightful combination of robust root vegetables and savory sausage embodies two classic Zinfandel pairings.

As the winter chill sets in, let our Old Vine Zinfandel be your culinary companion. Experience these pairings throughout the month of January at our tasting room. RSVPs recommended. Walk-ins welcome.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION HERE! Tasting Room Open: Wednesday - Sunday, 11am - 4:30pm

We're Giving Away S.O.S. to Veterans

In honor of our veterans, we're giving away Sh*t on a Shingle (S.O.S.) over Veterans Day weekend to all past and active military. Veterans can also take advantage of complimentary tastings for two and 20% off wine purchases. 

Our founding partner, Andy, is a Marine and has special memories of this mess hall staple.

S.O.S. is a retro war-time recipe made with chipped beef on toast and white gravy, which were easy ingredients to find when rations were low. Although we're paying homage to this classic dish, Andy and I decided to spruce it up with locally-made sourdough bread and freshly sliced corned beef.

You can also expect to see a very festive atmosphere when you walk into the tasting room this weekend!

Non-military guests can order a plate for $10 per person. The plates will be served starting this Friday until Sunday.

 

Single Vineyard Zinfandel ~ Flights & Bites

Enjoy this rare opportunity as we taste our collection of single vineyard Zinfandel paired with bites prepared by the acclaimed culinary duo of Flora and Fauna Provisions. The event starts at 12:30pm on Sunday, July 23rd.

Led by our Estate Winemaker, Mark Fowler, you'll learn why these Zinfandels shine and how the farming practices and microclimates help showcase their unique qualities and differences. 

The flight includes some of our most sought-after small batch Zinfandel ~ from the 104-year-old heritage vineyard, Old Massoni Ranch, to Zinfandel from Shake Ridge Ranch, meticulously tended to by legendary viticulturist, Ann Kraemer.

You'll be greeted with a delicious palate cleanser while you nibble on specialty charcuterie. 

Enjoy wines only available for tasting and purchase at this event…
~ 2021 Old Massoni Ranch Zinfandel
~ 2020 Shake Ridge Ranch Zinfandel
~ 2020 DiStasio Zinfandel
~ 2019 Friedlander Block Reserve Zinfandel
~ 2020 Original Grandpere Zinfandel

Paired with…
~ Beef tartare on pommes gaufrettes
~ Ciccioli crostini with Dijon mustard and cornichon
~ Polenta & mushroom canapés
~ Spanish chorizo & manchego puff pastry bites
~ French Onion Soup Mini Tarts

Tickets $45 per person / $36 Club Andis Members (log into your account to receive your discount). Please purchase your tickets by Monday, July 17th. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS.

Not from around here? Stay the night and explore the area with a 20% discount at HOTEL REST, just a few minutes away from our tasting room. Use code: ANDIS, when booking your stay between July 21st- July 24th to receive the discount.

Spring Releases ~ Succulento & Arinto

 

 

Help us pop the cork on Andis Wines first ever Charmat-method sparkling wine ~ A Brut Rosé of Barbera. Join us for the tasting celebration along with the release of our latest Arinto on Saturday, April 8th.

Our Italian partner, Lorenzo Muslia, coined the name Succulento, which in Italian means 'juicy and delectable' ~ like biting into a red delicious apple.

This inaugural sparkling wine follows up with notes of tart cherry. A combination of 30% barrel aging and partial malolactic fermentation creates warm toasty notes on the finish. The bubbles, created naturally in the traditional Charmat style, are soft on the palate. This sparkling drinks like a French Rosé. Pair with decadent foods from lobster to caviar.

From Master Class

Because Charmat method sparkling wines are bottled directly after secondary fermentation without additional aging, the wines have a fresh fruit character. This makes the Charmat method ideal for wines made from aromatic grape varieties like moscato and riesling. The technique will help retain the grapes’ aromas more than the traditional method, which introduces more nutty, toasty flavors from aging on the wine’s lees (dead yeast cells from fermentation).

Wines carbonated via the Charmat method have two to four atmospheres of pressure, which means that they have softer carbonation than wines made in the traditional method (which have five to seven atmospheres of pressure). Charmat method wines are filtered, so there is never any sediment in the bottle and the wines are crystal clear.

Arinto - Portuguese varietal often used in Vinho Verde (Portuguese white wine blend)

Our co-founder, Andy Friendlander, has been a fan of Vinho Verde for years and was seeking a way to produce it at Andis. Long time friend, Darrell Corti, suggested planting Arinto, one of the six varietals commonly blended in Vinho Verde.

As fate would have it, avid travelers and foodies, George and Wendy Rab, decided to retire in Amador County and purchased property just down the road from Andis Wines. Vinho Verde fans themselves, the Rabs were easily persuaded to plant Arinto on the rocky ridge of their property. 

Now known as the Ionian Vineyard, their entire two acre vineyard is dedicated to planting and growing Arinto exclusively for Andis Wines. You can often spot Andy and the Rabs enjoying a glass of Andis Arinto on the winery patio.

A foodies ultimate dream white wine. Bone dry, Arinto’s bright acidity and pops of citrus pair perfectly with richer seafood, scallops, lobster or fresh pasta in cream sauce.

Fun Facts

From Wine Folly, “Arinto: Also called “Pederna,” it is arguably Portugal’s finest white grape. Expect juicy melon and citrus with some bitter notes on the finish. Great examples can age 7+ years!” 

Arinto grows in a naturally hilly region in Northern Portugal similar to the terrain of the Sierra Foothills.

Join us as we taste both these wines on April 8th with Cousins Maine Lobster from 11am to 4pm.