Skins 2023

Owner & winemaker: Andrew Jones

Vineyard area: 120 acres estate-owned or in long term rental + purchase of grapes from selected growers on the Central Coast

Vineyard management: sustainable, practicing organics or certified organic, depending on the source vineyard. 80% drip irrigation, 20% dry farmed. Main varieties: blends based on Pinot Gris, Chenin, Albarino, Colombard / southern European grapes for the reds. Annual production: 50,000+ cases

Winemaking: native primary fermentation. Filtered, not fined.

Vinous Media's definition of skin contact (I love them).

With one exception (Alicante Bouschet), all wine grapes produce clear juice. Thus, skin contact is necessary for the acquisition of color and tannin. Red wines are typically fermented on their skins, and often are left to macerate on those skins for a period of time before and/or after fermentation as well. Some white wines are left in contact with their skins briefly in order to pick up extra phenolic depth; when white wines are left on their skins for an extended time, the result is an orange wine.