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Drew Family Cellars Summary

31351 Greenwood Road
Elk ,CA 95432
United States

Drew Family Cellars Description

Drew Family Cellars is a boutique winery located in the beautiful coastal region of Anderson Valley, California. Established in 2000, this family-owned and operated winery has quickly gained recognition for producing exceptional and highly sought-after wines. The winery is owned by husband and wife team, Jason and Molly Drew, who have a shared passion for crafting wines that truly reflect the unique terroir of the region.

What sets Drew Family Cellars apart is their commitment to sustainable farming practices. They firmly believe that great wines begin with healthy vineyards, so they prioritize organic and biodynamic farming methods. By working closely with nature, they are able to maintain the health of the soil, preserve biodiversity, and produce grapes of utmost quality. This focus on sustainable viticulture translates into their wines, which are known for their purity, vibrancy, and expressive character.

Among the notable wines produced by Drew Family Cellars is their Pinot Noir. The Anderson Valley, with its cool climate and maritime influence, is particularly well-suited for growing this finicky varietal. The Pinot Noirs from Drew Family Cellars showcase the balance between elegance and intensity, with vibrant fruit flavors, delicate floral aromas, and a fine structure. They also craft an exceptional Syrah, which displays dark fruit characteristics, savory notes, and a velvety texture. These wines, along with their other offerings, are a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship that go into each bottle produced at Drew Family Cellars.

What Makes Drew Family Cellars Different From Other Nearby Wineries?

Drew Family Cellars stands out as a unique winery in the region due to several distinctive qualities and practices that set it apart from other wineries in California:

1. Small Production: Unlike many large-scale wineries in the region, Drew Family Cellars is a boutique winery focusing on small production. This allows them to meticulously handcraft each batch of wine, ensuring exceptional quality and attention to detail.

2. Cool Climate Wines: One of the notable aspects of Drew Family Cellars is their emphasis on cool climate wines. The winery's location in the coastal region of California provides ideal conditions for growing grapes that thrive in these cooler climates. This unique approach results in wines with balanced acidity, elegant flavors, and complexity seldom found elsewhere.

3. Organic and Sustainable Farming: Drew Family Cellars strongly believes in the implementation of organic practices and sustainability in every aspect of winemaking. They are committed to using organic and biodynamic farming techniques, which prioritize the health of the vineyards, the environment, and the people involved in the process. By minimizing the use of chemicals and focusing on a holistic approach, they ensure that their wines are produced with minimal impact on the ecosystem.

4. Attention to Terroir: Drew Family Cellars pays keen attention to the concept of terroir, which refers to the unique combination of soil, climate, and vineyard location that influence the character of the wine. They believe that the expression of terroir is essential to the quality and individuality of their wines. Through careful vineyard selection and specific winemaking techniques, they successfully capture the essence of their vineyards in each bottle.

5. Minimal Intervention Winemaking: Another intriguing aspect of Drew Family Cellars is their commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. They strive to let the grapes speak for themselves, allowing the natural flavors and characteristics to shine through. By using traditional winemaking techniques and focusing on gentle handling of the fruit, they showcase the true potential of their grapes.

6. Family-Owned and Operated: As a family-owned and operated winery, Drew Family Cellars brings a personal touch and deep sense of passion to their craft. The family's dedication and hands-on approach can be felt in every bottle, creating a sense of authenticity and connection between the winery, the vineyards, and the customers.

7. Award-Winning Wines: Drew Family Cellars' commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous accolades and awards. Their unique wines have garnered critical acclaim and are highly regarded among wine enthusiasts and industry professionals. These accolades serve as a testament to the exceptional quality and craftsmanship present in each bottle produced by the winery.

In summary, Drew Family Cellars distinguishes itself through its small production, focus on cool climate wines, organic farming practices, emphasis on terroir, minimal intervention winemaking, family ownership, and award-winning wines. These factors contribute to a truly exceptional and memorable wine experience for anyone fortunate enough to sample their offerings.

What Some Possible Concerns About Drew Family Cellars ?

While it is important to highlight the positive aspects of wineries, it is also necessary to acknowledge any negative feedback or areas of improvement. Here are a few things that some people didn't like about Drew Family Cellars:

1. Limited wine selection: Some visitors mentioned that Drew Family Cellars has a relatively small selection of wines compared to other wineries in California. This might disappoint those expecting a wide variety of choices.

2. Cost: A few reviewers felt that the prices of the wines at Drew Family Cellars were on the higher side. This could make it less accessible to those on a budget or looking for more affordable options.

3. Limited amenities: Some visitors noted that the winery lacks certain amenities commonly found at other wineries, such as a restaurant or picnic area. This may be seen as a drawback for those seeking a more comprehensive winery experience.

4. Reservation policy: A few individuals mentioned that Drew Family Cellars requires reservations for tastings or visits, which could be inconvenient for spontaneous visitors or those who prefer to plan their trips on the go.

5. Inconsistent service: While many visitors had positive experiences with the staff, a couple of reviews mentioned inconsistent or lackluster service. This could be a concern for those who value attentive and knowledgeable staff during their wine tasting experiences.

Note: It is important to remember that these points may not reflect the overall experience at Drew Family Cellars, as opinions and preferences vary among individuals.

Drew Family Cellars History

Drew Family Cellars is a premium winery located in the heart of Mendocino County, California. Founded in 2000 by Jason and Molly Drew, the winery quickly gained recognition for producing exceptional wines that showcase the unique terroir of the region.

Jason Drew, a native to coastal California, had always been passionate about winemaking. After obtaining a degree in Fermentation Science from the University of California, Davis, and working at prestigious wineries in both California and Burgundy, France, Jason decided to pursue his dream of crafting wines that reflected his deep appreciation for cool-climate viticulture.

In 1996, Jason and his wife Molly purchased a 26-acre property in the rugged coastal region of Mendocino County, where they saw the potential to create exceptional wines from the area's diverse soils and maritime influence. The terroir of this region, with its cool, foggy mornings and breezy afternoons, offered the ideal conditions for growing grapes with vibrant acidity and intense flavors.

With painstaking attention to detail, Jason and Molly transformed their land into a carefully cultivated vineyard, planting a variety of Burgundy and Rhône grape varietals such as Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Viognier. They also sourced grapes from meticulously chosen, sustainably farmed vineyards in other parts of Mendocino County and the Anderson Valley, collaborating with local growers who shared their commitment to quality and sustainability.

The inaugural vintage of Drew Family Cellars was released in 2000, featuring small-lot, artisanal wines crafted with utmost care and attention. These wines quickly gained recognition for their elegance, balance, and complexity, earning the winery a loyal following among wine enthusiasts and critics alike.

One of the key factors behind the success of Drew Family Cellars is their philosophy of minimal intervention winemaking. Jason believes in letting the grapes speak for themselves, allowing the unique characteristics of each vineyard site to shine through in the finished wine. He employs traditional winemaking techniques, such as native yeast fermentation and aging in French oak barrels, to ensure that the wines maintain their sense of place and express the true essence of Mendocino County.

Over the years, Drew Family Cellars has garnered numerous accolades and high scores from esteemed wine publications, solidifying its reputation as one of California's finest producers of cool-climate wines. Jason and Molly's unwavering commitment to quality and their passion for showcasing the distinctiveness of the region have made Drew Family Cellars a true force in the world of California winemaking.

In addition to their outstanding still wines, the winery has also gained recognition for their sparkling wines, which are crafted using the traditional méthode champenoise. By utilizing the same meticulous approach as their still wines, Drew Family Cellars has succeeded in producing sparkling wines that exhibit complexity, finesse, and a true sense of celebration.

Today, Drew Family Cellars continues to be a family-run operation, with Jason and Molly at the helm. They approach each vintage with the same level of dedication and reverence for the land that sparked their winemaking journey. Their wines continue to captivate wine enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the incredible diversity and potential of Mendocino County's cool-climate vineyards.

Through their relentless pursuit of quality and their unwavering respect for the land they work with, Drew Family Cellars has firmly entrenched itself as a true icon in the California wine scene, showcasing the beauty and uniqueness of Mendocino County in every bottle they produce.