Weatherborne Wilson Vineyard Chenin Blanc Clarksburg 2020

Aviation runs in the blood of the winemaker and founder of Weatherborne, Cris Carter, whose grandfather, uncles, and father all bore a set of “wings.” Cris became a pilot after years of fascination watching his forebears set to the skies.  However, Cris charted a different course for his career, knowing as a teenager that winemaking would be his profession.  In a poetic nature, he perceives the similarities between winemaking and flying, noting that both “require detail and precision, but instincts to handle the unexpected.” In the manner that weather informs flight, it impresses upon farming and particularly imprints personality traits in each vintage of wine.  Hence, Cris named the family label Weatherborne, an homage to his style, following weather patterns and adapting to all nature has to offer of her vines.

In setting his sights on a winemaking career, Cris studied viticulture at UC Davis, joining the program right out of high school at 18.  He embraced the grind of harvest worldwide, seeking positions in New Zealand, Oregon, Chile, and Tasmania to hone his skills and absorb all the possible teachings.  His passion for Pinot Noir drove his focus, and in 2012 he crafted the first bottling from Weatherborne with a Pinot Noir from Santa Ynez Valley.  The first five vintages of the brand embraced Santa Barbara’s growing region along with the ups and downs of making wine during a drought in the scorching and dry conditions of Southern California.  As Weatherborne became more established, Cris and his wife Anya looked to build a homestead and estate for future generations after giving birth to their first child, whose arrival coincided with the brand’s launch.

Their search ended when Cris & Anya discovered thirty-one acres of a forgotten apple orchard with the perfect southern exposure for growing grapes in Anderson Valley.  So in 2017, the Carters transplanted Weatherborne to Anderson Valley and set about rejuvenating their land.  While planting vines and fruit trees and building their future home, Cris & Anya also opened a tasting room in the nearby town of Philo.  In moving north, Cris’ new challenge came in creating partnerships with growers throughout Mendocino County and beyond to source outstanding fruit while their estate vineyards grew.

His foray into Chenin Blanc was the fruit of friendships and connections from his UC Davis days.  A few rows became available on the Wilson Vineyard in Clarksburg, an organically farmed 30-year-old vineyard, and Cris jumped on the opportunity.  Harvested in late August 2020, Cris pressed the Chenin Blanc as whole clusters and aged the wine in 20% new French oak with no malolactic fermentation. The wine is light-bodied and refreshing with aromas of linen, lemon zest, and brioche and animated flavors of ripe pear, yellow apple, and ginger.  Vibrant and linear acidity is the wind beneath the wings of this Chenin, gliding along the palate and encouraging just one more sip.