Field Recordings Skins Orange 2024

Field Recordings began in 2007 as winemaker Andrew Jones' side project while working as a grapevine nurseryman across California's Central Coast. His day job—planning and planting vineyards for growers throughout the region—gave him access to sites most winemakers never see. Farmers occasionally offered small lots of their best fruit, and Jones recognized diamonds in the rough: unknown or underappreciated vineyards with untapped potential.

Jones studied agricultural business with a viticulture minor at Cal Poly on a football scholarship, interning at Gallo on the Sonoma Coast before returning to nursery work. He first made wine during college, and the skills complemented each other—understanding vine physiology improved his winemaking, while crafting wine deepened his appreciation for vineyard management.

What began as small batches of Chenin Blanc from a 1970s-era vineyard has expanded into a substantial operation. Field Recordings now sources from over 28 ranches across the Central Coast, from Arroyo Seco to Happy Canyon, with a 12-person team. The winery operates from Tin City in Paso Robles, the neighborhood that has become California's natural wine hub.

Jones positions Skins as "the gateway orange wine"—designed for the drinking experience rather than the tasting experience, something entire groups can enjoy without specialized knowledge. His winemaking philosophy emphasizes native yeast fermentation and minimal additives, with only moderate sulfur additions post-fermentation. He filters wines for retail stability, which allows lower overall sulfur use.

Field Recordings has become one of California's largest pét-nat producers while maintaining the ethos of discovering overlooked vineyards and varieties. Jones recently acquired Le Bon Climat in Santa Barbara County, expanding the estate's reach. The winery's range spans single-vineyard bottlings to accessible blends under the Fiction and Wonderwall labels.

Discover more Field Recordings wines: Field Recordings Rosé Pét Nat and Field Recordings Fiction Red. Browse our best-selling natural wines.

California's Central Coast stretches from San Francisco Bay to Santa Barbara County, encompassing one of America's most diverse wine-growing territories. This vast region includes numerous distinct AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), each with unique climate patterns, soil compositions, and grape variety affinities. The Pacific Ocean's influence defines Central Coast viticulture—marine fog and cool breezes moderate temperatures, extending the growing season and preserving natural acidity in the grapes.

Paso Robles, located in San Luis Obispo County, serves as Field Recordings' home base. This AVA covers over 600,000 acres with elevations ranging from 700 to 2,400 feet. The region experiences significant diurnal temperature variation—warm days and cool nights create conditions favorable for both bold reds and aromatic whites. Soils vary from limestone and calcareous shale to sandy loam and clay, supporting diverse grape varieties.

The broader Central Coast encompasses additional notable sub-regions. The SLO Coast AVA, established in 2022, represents extreme coastal growing conditions where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive. Santa Barbara County's Happy Canyon and Santa Ynez Valley contribute warm-climate varieties, while Monterey's Arroyo Seco provides cooler conditions suited to aromatic whites.

What distinguishes Central Coast winemaking today is the diversity of grape varieties cultivated beyond the expected Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Forward-thinking producers have planted Mediterranean varieties like Albariño, Vermentino, and Grenache alongside rare grapes such as Trousseau Gris and Colombard. This experimentation has fostered a thriving natural wine scene, with Paso Robles' Tin City neighborhood becoming a hub for minimal-intervention producers.

The region's agricultural heritage—cattle ranching, grain farming, and orchards preceded widespread viticulture—supports a culture of sustainable farming practices increasingly embraced by progressive wineries.

Explore California natural wines and American natural wines.