Three Wine Company
Summary
35265 Willow Avenue
Clarksburg
,CA
95612
United States
threewinecompany.comThree Wine Company
Description
The Three Wine Company is a renowned winery located in California's historic Contra Costa County. Founded in 2004 by winemaker Matt Cline, the winery has gained immense popularity for its dedication to preserving and reviving traditional California grape varietals. Three Wine Company sources its grapes from old vine vineyards, some over 100 years old, and cultivates rare grape varieties like Zinfandel, Carignane, and Mataro.
The winery's commitment to sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention winemaking techniques ensures that the true expression of the terroir is reflected in every bottle. By following a hands-on approach, the team at Three Wine Company carefully hand-picks and sorts the grapes, allowing for a meticulous selection of the finest fruit. This attention to detail extends to their winemaking process, where traditional methods like open-top fermentation and aging in neutral oak barrels are employed. This approach allows the wines to develop rich, complex flavors while maintaining a balanced and elegant profile.
Three Wine Company offers a diverse portfolio of wines, each showcasing the unique characteristics of the specific vineyard and varietal. From their bold and luscious Zinfandels to their structured and aromatic Carignanes, each wine tells a story of California's winemaking heritage. Visitors to the winery can indulge in tastings, guided tours, and even partake in special events that highlight the region's viticultural history. With its commitment to quality, sustainability, and the preservation of California's wine traditions, Three Wine Company continues to be a beloved destination for wine enthusiasts seeking an authentic taste of the Golden State.
What Makes Three Wine Company
Different From Other Nearby Wineries?
Three Wine Company stands out among other wineries in the region due to its unique and distinctive approach to winemaking. What sets them apart is their emphasis on preserving California's rich winemaking history by specializing in producing wines from historic grape varieties.
Unlike many wineries that focus on popular mainstream grapes, Three Wine Company takes a different path by reviving and championing forgotten or less common grape varieties that have played a significant role in California's winemaking heritage. Their commitment to preserving the legacy of California's wine industry is commendable and sets them apart from their counterparts.
To achieve this, Three Wine Company sources grapes from vineyards that contain some of the oldest, non-irrigated vineyards in California. These vineyards date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, with some even surviving the phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century, making them truly remarkable and historically significant.
Another factor that differentiates Three Wine Company is their winemaker, Matt Cline. With over three decades of experience in the wine industry, Cline brings his expertise and passion to craft exceptional wines. He not only focuses on showcasing the distinct characteristics of each grape variety but also respects the historical context in which they were originally cultivated.
Moreover, Three Wine Company embraces traditional winemaking techniques, such as fermenting in open-top tanks with native yeasts. This method allows for a more hands-off approach, allowing the unique qualities of the grapes to shine through, resulting in wines that are expressive, authentic, and reminiscent of the past.
Additionally, Three Wine Company offers a diverse portfolio of wines, encompassing a range of grape varieties including Zinfandel, Carignane, Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, and others. By exploring these lesser-known varietals, Three Wine Company provides a refreshing alternative to the more mainstream wines found in the region.
In conclusion, Three Wine Company distinguishes itself from other wineries in the region through its commitment to preserving California's winemaking history, their choice of historic grape varieties, and their emphasis on traditional winemaking techniques. With a dedicated winemaker and a diverse portfolio of wines, Three Wine Company is a standout among the California winery scene.
What Some Possible Concerns About Three Wine Company
?
While opinions can vary from person to person, here are a few common complaints or criticisms that some people have had about Three Wine Company:
1. Limited selection: Some visitors have mentioned that the winery has a relatively small range of wines available for tasting or purchase. This could be seen as a drawback for those looking for a wider variety of options.
2. Busy atmosphere: During peak times, the winery can get quite crowded, leading to longer waits for tastings and less personalized attention from staff. Some visitors have mentioned feeling rushed or overcrowded during their visit.
3. Lack of ambiance: While the winery has a rustic charm, a few reviewers have noted that they found the overall atmosphere lacking compared to other wineries in the region. The tasting room ambiance may be seen as less inviting or less visually appealing compared to some other wineries.
4. Limited food options: There have been some comments from visitors about the limited availability of food options or snacks at the winery. This may be considered a downside for those looking to pair their wine tastings with a more substantial meal or snack.
5. Inconsistent service: While many visitors have had positive experiences with staff members, there have been occasional reports of inconsistent or less-than-friendly service. Some guests have mentioned feeling rushed through their tasting experience or not receiving the attention they expected.
It is worth noting that these criticisms are not representative of everyone's experiences, and many visitors have thoroughly enjoyed their time at Three Wine Company. It is always beneficial to read a variety of reviews or visit the winery yourself to form your own opinion.
Three Wine Company
History
The Three Wine Company is a renowned winery situated in Sonoma Valley, California. Founded by winemaker Matt Cline in 2003, the winery has quickly gained recognition for producing exceptional wines with a deep connection to California's rich winemaking heritage. Drawing inspiration from historical vineyards, old vines, and traditional winemaking techniques, Three Wine Company has become a true ambassador for California's winemaking legacy.
The history of Three Wine Company dates back to the late 19th century when small vineyards were scattered across the state and California was beginning to establish itself as a premier wine region. Many of these early vineyards were planted using unique and diverse varietals, reflecting the immigrant populations that settled in the state and their own wine traditions.
The winery's roots can be traced to Matt Cline's great-grandfather, Valeriano Jacuzzi, who emigrated from Italy in the early 1900s. Valeriano Jacuzzi settled in California's Central Valley, where he established a winery and vineyard. This heritage ignited Matt's passion for winemaking, and he sought to revive and honor the forgotten vineyards and varietals of California's past.
By partnering with vineyard owners who shared his vision, Matt Cline was able to locate and work with vineyards that contained these historic and often underappreciated grape varieties. These vineyards represent a time capsule of California viticulture, with some dating back over 130 years.
One of the distinctive features of Three Wine Company is its emphasis on working with old vines. These vines possess a depth of character and intensity that is unmatched by young and recently planted vineyards. By carefully tending to the needs of these old vineyards and applying traditional winemaking techniques, Three Wine Company captures the essence of California winemaking history, allowing the unique terroir and grape varietals to express themselves fully in each bottle.
Three Wine Company specializes in producing wines from lesser-known grape varieties such as Carignane, Zinfandel, and Mataro (Mourvèdre). These varietals were widely planted in California during the late 19th and early 20th centuries but fell out of favor as consumer tastes shifted towards more popular international grape varieties.
The winery's dedication to historical accuracy is evident in their winemaking practices. They employ traditional techniques such as whole cluster fermentation, native yeasts, and aging in well-seasoned oak barrels to cultivate wines that reflect the authenticity of their origins. Each bottle tells a story of California's winemaking past, showcasing the diversity and quality that makes the region so distinctive.
Three Wine Company's commitment to preserving California's vinicultural heritage extends beyond the vineyards. The winery actively supports organizations that protect and restore old-vine vineyards, ensuring that future generations can continue to savor the wines and history these vineyards provide.
Today, Three Wine Company is celebrated for its exceptional wines that exemplify California's winemaking legacy. By uncovering and reviving forgotten vineyards and grape varieties, the winery displays a deep respect for the past while producing wines that captivate the palates of modern wine enthusiasts.
In conclusion, Three Wine Company is a testament to the significance of California's winemaking history and the potential that lies within the state's long-established vineyards. Founded with a commitment to showcasing the varied and unique traditions of California viticulture, the winery continues to produce remarkable wines that honor the past while capturing the spirit of present-day winemaking.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel