Andis Chosen to Participate at CabFranc-A-Palooza

Two of our wines will be featured during a grand tasting at CabFranc-A-Palooza, the largest International Cabernet Franc festival happening in Livermore from June 1 through June 4.

We’ll be one of over 40 wineries celebrating all things Cabernet Franc, ending with a select group of wineries handpicked to pour (including Andis) for a grand tasting on June 4th. I’ll be attending the event with our Estate Winemaker, Mark Fowler, pouring our 2020 Cabernet Franc and 2021 Curse of Knowledge.

Our founders, Janis and Andy, have been making Cab Franc from the beginning. It’s been a labor of love for us, especially for me. It was a bottle of Andis Cab Franc that opened my eyes to the Sierra Foothills. To be able to share a wine and tell the story of how it changed my world is a meaningful honor.

There’s still tickets left for those of you interested. General admission is currently $99 per person. VIP tickets are $125 per person, which includes an extra hour of event, reserve wines only available to VIP guests, as well as barrel samples from participating wineries. For tickets, visit cabfrancapalooza.com.

May 25, 2023 at 8:45 AM Permalink

Our Sustainability Initiative

Earth Day is April 22nd, a time when we demonstrate support for environmental protection. At Andis, we believe in honoring that demonstration and make it a mission to be as environmentally-friendly as possible when it comes to winemaking and viticulture. 

Here's how we're doing our part…

Cover Crops

Cover crops are a great way to have a large impact in the vineyard naturally. In between the rows of vines, we plant a variety of cover crops to help the soil with water retention and erosion. The added vegetation attracts healthy insects promoting ecological balance in the vineyards. In the spring, we till the cover crops into the earth, adding much needed nutrients back into the soil.

Owl Boxes

As part of our integrated pest management program, we have built owl boxes to attract our feathered friends. By providing a safe place for the owls to reside in our vineyards, we can help to increase the declining barn owl population in our area.

An owl family can consume up to 2,000 rodents per year, which also helps lessen our use of pesticides and chemicals.

Pomace

We use pomace, the skins left over from winemaking, to keep dust down from our vineyard roads. By controlling dust, fine particles are prevented from becoming airborne, which can cause health issues or damage vegetation.

Our Winery    

Our winery is built with a green design that is solar powered. We positioned the building on an East/West axis so the hot summer sun is only on the roof.

Lighter Bottles & Reusable Carafes    

We are currently switching to lighter weight bottles to help lower waste in packaging. Our "Wine on Tap" program is another way we try to reduce waste by using refillable bottles. 

Recycling

We also recycle everything we possibly can. This includes bottles, boxes, corks, capsules and foils ~ some of which are taken by local artists for different projects.

More to come on how we plan to expand on our sustainability initiative. Stay tuned...

Apr 20, 2023 at 9:00 AM Permalink

Mustard Plants Blooming

It must be Spring! Just look at the bright yellow fields full of mustard blooms in the vineyard. 

The Andis vineyards have never looked so beautiful with the ground cover throughout. As mentioned in my previous blog, ground cover or cover crops can be beneficial in replacing nutrients. But what about mustard plants? While mustard plants do not return vine nutrients back to the soil, they do provide biofumigation, which suppresses various soil pathogens.

Typically mustard plants are used in vineyards to suppress nematodes, a microscopic worm that infect vine roots. Nematode infection will ultimately lead to low grape production and severe vine damage. Mustard plants produce a biofumigate called glucosinolate that deter damaging nematodes.

Later in Spring, the cover crops are turned, giving beneficial mulch to the soils.

So come visit us at Andis Wines and enjoy the beautiful view of our yellow vineyards while you can! 

Apr 12, 2023 at 9:54 AM Permalink

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.

Apr 4, 2023 at 8:21 AM Permalink

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