2025 Fall Release
“Be true to your word, your work, and your friend.”
- Henry David Thoreau
We often get asked, "You live in Napa, so why do you make wine from El Dorado County?" It's a fair question. Napa is home, and we love it here. But when we began dreaming about making our own wine, we wanted to write a story that hadn't already been told. That journey led us two hours east, into the Sierra Foothills, and to a very special family: the Mansfields.
It all started with a bottle of Mourvèdre from Skinner Vineyards. It was bright, wild, and layered with an alpine edge we'd never tasted before. The deeper we explored the region, the more convinced we became that these high-elevation vineyards had an untapped magic.
By chance, we met the winemaker of that very bottle, Chris Pittinger, at a house party a few weeks later (in the house we now live in!). After a few glasses Chris generously said "If you're serious about making wine from El Dorado County, I'll introduce you to the best grower in the region."
Enter father / son duo - Ron and Chuck Mansfield, the legendary growers of Goldbud Farms.
In the summer of 2017, while walking a vineyard with Ron and Chuck, they wanted to know why El Dorado County and why us. Bertus had worked with plenty of growers before, but this was all new to me and I didn't realize yet what an important meeting this was. We told them our vision, our belief in the untold story of the Foothills, and our desire to honor the land through thoughtful, transparent winemaking. They gave us a chance - a single ton of fruit to see what we could do with it.
Ron was a pioneer in high-elevation farming since the early 1980s, planting extraordinary vineyards alongside orchards of peaches, apples, and cherries so good they've been served at the White House. Chuck followed in his Dad's footsteps and after studying and making wine himself, decided to join the family business and bring the same passion and care to his work. They still do things the old-school way: on a handshake. Word is bond. And they care for everyone around them like family - their crew, their partners, and their land.
Some of the most memorable wines we've made have been the result of "happy accidents", like our 2020 Fenaughty Vineyard Syrah. It was delicious and quickly became a favorite. This fall, we're so excited to finally share the 2023 vintage with you - the first time we were able to make it since.
We will never forget the pick that year. I was 7 months pregnant with Maddie, we left Napa at 3am and caught the most beautiful sunrise in the vineyard. Chuck was there, as he always is, to ensure his incredible crew had everything they needed. It's always a treat to catch up with Chuck in moments like this. We didn't know then that it would be Ron's final harvest before his passing in February 2024 from Parkinson's. When Ron was first starting out in the region he and his family lived on the Fenaughty property, it was truly his happy place. His legacy lives on in every vine, every bottle, and beginning with this release, every Fenaughty label will carry the words: "In memory of Ron Mansfield, who loved this vineyard..."
Alongside the Syrah, this release also features our 2024 Barsotti Gamay and the 2023 Grand Prismatic Red - three wines that capture the heart of the region.
So why El Dorado County? Because it's a story that is still being written. It's a place where resilience and wild beauty collide. Where frost, fire, and heat test the vines and the people. And where growers like the Mansfields prove, year after year, that greatness is possible.
So here's to championing the underdog. To handshake deals. To happy accidents. And most importantly, to Ron.
With love and gratitude,
Alli, Bertus, Margo, Maddie, and Peaches