Anabe Wines La Colline, Proprietary Red, Sonoma County, 2022 (SRP $84)

FROM THE WIRES...

At Anaba Wines, every bottle tells a story, but none more profoundly than the inaugural vintage of  La Colline, Proprietary Red, Sonoma County, 2022 (SRP $84) launching this fall. This isn't just a wine; it's the culmination of a lifelong passion and a defining chapter in Anaba's journey.

Winemaker Katy Wilson has dedicated more than a decade sourcing just the right Sonoma mountain vineyards, creating a wine that honors proprietor John Sweazey’s vision, with exceptional quality and genuine connection. At 850 feet of elevation, the family-owned organically farmed Pigasus Vineyard at the top of Sonoma Mountain, in both the Bennett Valley  and Sonoma Mountain AVAs, is Katy's treasured source for the Syrah, the leading grape (50%) of this exquisite wine. Flora Marie Vineyard, Katy’s source for the Grenache (25%), is located on a special ridge that straddles the Russian River and Sonoma Coast appellations. Known for its dense volcanic rock, the Shore Vineyard, in the Moon Mountain District,is the source of the Mourvèdre, which makes up 25% of the blend, contributing depth and complexity to the wine.

La Colline embodies Anaba's founding vision, inspired by John's numerous experiences while visiting the Rhone Valley wine regions where he was often moved by the family-owned wineries that embody generations of tradition. During his many French wine region travels in the 1970s, John developed a true appreciation for the "life" of a family owned and run winery.

A pivotal moment occurred at M. Chapoutier winery in the Rhône Valley. There, Max Chapoutier shared his family's 100-year history from atop his "Colline" (hill), overlooking the Rhône River. This expression of family legacy resonated deeply with John, sparking a desire to create something similar in California. This singular, inspiring encounter – a blend of family heritage, breathtaking landscape, and extraordinary hospitality – became the blueprint for Anaba's ethos. It laid the groundwork for a vision of winemaking that celebrates both the land and the deeply personal connections formed around a glass of wine. 

Fast forward from that formative experience years ago, in 2006 Anaba Wines was born. Today, it is only natural that its finest Rhône-style blend is named La Colline, a direct homage to that inspiring visit and the hill that sparked a dream. 

La Colline is a living narrative of Anaba’s origins, a direct link to the very inspiration that drove its founder to create this winery.