Nestled in the hills of Yorkville, California, we are located in the Yorkville Highlands appellation. One mountain range away from the Pacific ocean, we have a moderate climate. We benefit from warm afternoon air and cool evening breezes, which allow for an extended growing season. The mature fruit, picked late in the season, produces complex and balanced wines. We also source grapes from Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge appellations.
Many of our grapes are from vineyards not currently in commercial production. Left fallow or abandoned, the vines put forth fruit with exceptional flavor profiles and complexity. In sourcing grapes from such vineyards, we are reminded of Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer and philosopher renowned for his agricultural philosophy shizen nōhō (自然農法), or 'natural farming.' The five principles of natural farming include: no tilling, no fertilizers, minimal weeding, no pesticides nor herbicides, and no pruning of fruit trees. This system recognizes and utilizes the complex nature of an ecosystem and its living organisms. We aspire towards this minimal human intervention.
We mow and prune the vineyard minimally, and apply only biodynamic preparations to the grapes and land. The vines are dry-farmed, with deep-reaching roots. We do not irrigate, instead depending on the gracious winter rains for water. We believe this approach to producing grapes allows them to reach their best potential flavor and expression. We hope you enjoy what the land has to offer.
Ya
makiri Wines is an ongoing collaboration between Alex Crangle and Lisa Bauer. Alex is the brains and the brilliance behind the wine and cider making; Lisa mows, prunes, frets, delivers boxes and kegs of wine and cider, and is generally the owner of Yamakiri. Together, they share a commitment to biodynamic and minimally invasive growing and vinting techniques, and a love of fermented fruit beverages that showcase the place they come from.
