The Wine: Ride the Funk 2020
Gearhead Wines Ride the Funk is a co-ferment carbonic maceration of Grenache Blanc and Petite Syrah – 14 days on the skins. The Grenache Blanc is from Love Ranche Vineyard, Madera, Peite Syrah is from Redwood Valley Mendocino, both farmed organically. Ride the Funk is a zero zero wine (unfined, unfiltered, no added sulfites). Only 40 cases made!
The Producer: Gearhead Wines
Gearhead Wines is the brainchild of Craig West and this is his story as told by the man himself.
"I grew up in Orange County, California, playing in the open fields picking oranges, avocados, blackberries, pomegranates, tomatoes, walnuts, and trees and eating them. The love of the land came at an early age for me and it has been an easy transition into the vineyard."
"My wine journey started harvest 2016 when I met Noel Diaz. One evening Noel asked me if I would like to jump into a 48 fermenter and tread. Thrilled I climbed in and that was when it I fell in love with winemaking. I made my first vintage that year in my garage; it was a great experience stumbling along, learning, and growing, always trying to stay humble."
The Region: Contra Costa County