North Yuba: California’s Hidden Mountain Wine Frontier

August 15th 3:00pm

Member’s Promo Code:

NY26

North Yuba: California's Hidden Mountain Wine Frontier

Tucked into the rugged Sierra Foothills, North Yuba is one of California's most compelling yet under-the-radar wine regions. Defined by steep, rocky slopes, high elevations, and a remarkably diverse geological foundation, the area produces wines of freshness, energy, and unmistakable sense of place. Long before "natural wine" became a movement, pioneers here were crafting low-intervention wines that reflected the mountain landscape rather than the cellar.

At the heart of North Yuba's modern story is Clos Saron, founded by Gideon Beinstock. His thoughtful farming, native fermentations, and uncompromising focus on terroir helped establish North Yuba as a destination for soulful, age-worthy wines that challenged conventional California expectations. Clos Saron's influence extends far beyond its small production, inspiring a new generation of growers and winemakers to embrace authenticity over convention.

Among that next generation is Frenchtown Farms, where Aaron and Cara Mockrish have built upon Clos Saron's legacy while forging a distinctive voice of their own. After discovering Clos Saron through a single bottle of Black Pearl, they apprenticed with Beinstock before establishing their own estate. Today they farm historic own-rooted vineyards alongside newly planted mountain sites, working organically with minimal intervention to capture the character of North Yuba's volcanic and granitic soils. Their wines balance vibrant acidity, alpine freshness, and savory complexity, offering a contemporary expression of this remarkable landscape.

In this class, we'll explore the history, geology, and philosophy that have made North Yuba a beacon for adventurous wine lovers. Through the wines of Clos Saron and Frenchtown Farms, we'll discover how one remote mountain region continues to redefine what California wine can be.

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