Celebrating Women in Wine Day

It’s been said that to love life, we must love the people we’re with, love the place we are located, and love what we do. I can truly say that Andis Wines provides the kind of love that fits it all. 

A highly regarded wine consultant once told me that making wine with love makes a better wine. I believe our wines reflect that and it’s all because of the people behind it ~ whether it’s sales, managing our books, event planning, working in the cellar or vineyard. 

My vision as co-founder and CEO was to create an inclusive environment. I think what makes our team so exceptional is their diverse walks of life. 

Our team expanded this past year. As we finalized interviews, it suddenly occurred to me the talents we chose were all women. In an industry with so few of us working in it (seems odd, but true), it also occurred to me that not only are we a majority woman-owned winery, but most of our team members are also women.

So I’d like to raise a glass to the women of Andis Wines. The ones who stand out to us. Some seasoned professionals, some just starting out. 

Then I couldn’t help but ask, with so many wineries to choose from, why us? Here’s what they said.

Jenae, CFO/Partner

“We have the greatest people all working together to make incredible wines and provide exceptional experiences for our guests. The winery would not exist without our awesome team. And getting to drink some really good wine is always a nice perk!”

Natalie, Regional Sales Representative

“I love seeing people tasting our wines for the first time. Everyone loves it! Selling Andis Wines is super easy. Andis has a great story, great people and great wine. What’s not to love about it?”

Shannon, Marketing Manager

“Having been raise in Amador County, I have a deep-rooted passion for promoting our area through travel and wine tastings. I found a place with Andis, where not only are my ideas valued, they’re also transformed into reality.”

Nicole, Tasting Room Manager

“I love how we have the freedom here to share our favorites off the tasting menu with our guests. Working with the owners every day is a huge plus. Not a bad gig working where the wine is delicious too! Oh, and the view…”

Caitlyn Shipley, Harvest Intern

“I’m learning every day. I also love how inclusive it is here. Everyone has been very supportive and I’ve developed wonderful relationships.”

Sarah Cross, Cellar Intern

“I believe that farming and winemaking go hand in hand with the ‘farm to fork’ philosophy and hope to spearhead Andis’ environmentally-friendly certification. After working at other places in all aspects of the wine business, the people at Andis are definitely the most supportive of what I hope to achieve.

Unveiling the Artistry: Andis Wines' Pursuit of European-Style Blends

In the vast world of winemaking, the art of blending is akin to composing a symphony, where each note contributes to a harmonious masterpiece. While blends may not be as universally celebrated in the United States as they are in Europe, Andis Wines stands as a testament to the power of patience, talent, and expertise in crafting European-style blends that rival the revered Bordeauxs' of the Old World.

The Andis Approach to Blending

Our winemaking team understands that the secret to creating exceptional blends lies in the meticulous sampling of individual barrels. Each barrel holds a unique varietal, and the journey begins by understanding the nuances of each ~ exploring the delicate dance between acidity, fruit, and tannins.

Balancing Act: From Vineyard to Barrel

The journey starts in our vineyards, where grapes of different varietals thrive under the California sun. Our winemakers have a deep understanding of European winemaking traditions ~ carefully handpicking grapes at their ideal ripeness. Once harvested, these grapes embark on their transformational journey.

As the grapes make their way to the cellar, they find themselves nestled in individual barrels, each contributing its own character to the final blend. Our winemaking team, armed with a passion for perfection, dedicates time to sample and analyze each barrel, seeking the elusive balance that defines a European-style blend.

Sampling the Essence: A Journey Through Barrels

Sampling individual barrels is an art form at Andis Wines. Our winemakers immerse themselves in the task of understanding the personality of each varietal. This process demands patience, a discerning palate, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

Harmony in Every Sip: European-Style Blends Unveiled

We take pride in crafting wines that echo the sophistication and balance found in the great Bordeauxs of Europe. The blending process is a labor of love, and the resulting European-style blends are a testament to the dedication of our winemaking team.

Wine enthusiasts will experience the best of both worlds within each of our blends ~ the boldness of California grapes intertwined with the elegance of European craftsmanship. Each bottle tells a story of meticulous blending, where the final product is greater than the sum of its parts.

Visit our tasting room to sample the fruits of our labor and discover the magic that happens when talent, time, and tradition converge in a glass. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021 Curse of Knowledge Rates 92pts

This is not another blend from another winery. This is years of labor to break a curse haunting our region from bad wines of the past. As Lorenzo, our partner, so eloquently explained in the SOMM Journal...

"...it seemed as though there was a preconceived perception of our wine, and it made me feel like I had something to prove. I wondered, “Why are people so skeptical and scared to try our wines from this region?”

It took me years to understand that the answer was in the history of what we used to be. We were 'cursed by the knowledge' they had about our region, and the only way to break that spell was to make extraordinary wines. Opinions are hard to change in a short time, but it can be done."

And so it is. Taste our 2021 Painted Fields Curse of Knowledge before it sells out. Best Bordeaux Blend at Sierra Foothills Wine Fest. Rated 92 points by SOMM Journal and The Tasting Panel Magazine. Click here to purchase.

 

How Corks Help Our Sustainability Initiative

 

Did you know cork oak forests make a significant contribution to helping our planet? A cork oak tree lives for up to 200 years and within its lifetime, it becomes a massive storehouse of CO2, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Our cork supplier recently honored us with a certificate highlighting our contribution to sequestering 24.6 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere - equivalent to what 1,025 trees would capture in a year! The findings are the only ones to date that underwent a multi-closure comparative peer review.

At Andis, we make it a priority to be as sustainable as possible in all that we do, even with our corks. It’s not just because of how it protects the quality of our wines - and, as you now know, our planet - it is also one of nature’s most amazing raw materials that is naturally renewable.

BY ALL MEANS, PUT A CORK IN IT

Cork is an all natural raw material that comes from the bark of a Cork Oak tree. It is light, impermeable to liquids and gases, elastic, compressible, provides thermal and acoustic insulation, it is also a fire retardant and highly abrasion-resistant. Not to mention, it is completely biodegradable, renewable and recyclable. 

So yes, we’re big believers in cork.

THE MIGHTY IMPACT

Every year cork oak forests absorb up to 14 million tonnes of CO2. This ability to retain carbon dioxide is passed on to manufactured cork products, including cork stoppers. What's even better, during the natural regeneration process that follows harvesting, the tree's ability to absorb CO2 increases up to five times. 

In other words, the more it is harvested, the more it protects the environment. 

To learn more about the sustainability of corks, including typical myths vs. facts, visit https://www.amorimcork.com/en/cork/myths-and-curiosities

You’ll never look at corks the same way again.

 

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...