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As Vérité is French for truth, Connaissance is French for knowledge, and the wines of Connaissance convey the message of the soils in the individual terroirs of our Vérité micro-crus. Each wine in this collection showcases a unique expression of aromas, flavors, and textures from the individual micro-crus that Vigneron Pierre Seillan and his daughter Hélène meticulously blend to create the three cuvées of Vérité. Pierre refers to this expression as the "right of the soil," and through the wines of Connaissance, the knowledge of each individual Vérité micro-cru is revealed.

 

2021 Vintage

The 2021 Sonoma County growing season was preceded by a very chilly winter with below average rainfall, marking a second straight year of drought in Northern California. To ensure balance between the vines and available soil nutrients in the coming vintage, our vineyard teams carefully pruned each vine throughout the cold winter months, reducing the number of clusters each would be asked to ripen. Cool temperatures persisted into early spring, pushing Budbreak a bit later than average, but by early May the weather warmed up beautifully, delivering a fine start to the growing season. The summer months brought sunny, warm weather with characteristically cool nighttime temperatures, and only a few minor heat spikes. These conditions produced remarkable quality fruit, yielding wines of concentration and balance, with brilliant acidity and restrained alcohol levels. Harvest took place between September 2 and September 15.
Pierre Seillan, Vigneron

 

The Philosopher
The Maverick
The Mountain King

Allocations

Connaissance is produced in very limited quantities and is offered once a year.
For more information or to request an allocation, click below.

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The Philosopher

2021 Malbec
Chalk Hill AVA
Franz Creek Vineyard
Elevation: 171ft
Soil Composition: Volcanic Tuff, white volcanic ash, and clay loam

Aptly named "The Philosopher," in reference to the contemplative and quiet nature of the Franz Creek Vineyard located in the very northern end of the Chalk Hill Appellation, this block is planted in the region’s classic volcanic ash soils. The climate is influenced by the warming effect of Alexander Valley to the north, and cooling breezes from the nearby Russian River to the southwest. The resulting wine possesses both generosity and restraint, with a lift to the inherent richness of Malbec.

The Maverick Grapes
The Maverick Vineyard
Photos by Suzanne Becker Bronk

The Maverick

2021 Cabernet Franc
Alexander Valley AVA
Stonestreet Estate Block 29
Elevation: 856ft
Soil Composition: Iron-rich volcanic gravelly loam

“The Maverick” is an homage to the exceptional character of Cabernet Franc from Block 29, growing on the southwestern-facing slope of the Stonestreet Estate. The soils in this block are relatively nutrient-rich while being well-drained; the resulting wines are incredibly fragrant with ethereal aromatics of boysenberry, red currant, fresh bay leaf, rose petals, and rosemary. The Maverick is an elegant, brightly structured expression of Cabernet Franc, laced with an ever-present, subtle iron minerality.

The Mountain King Grapes
The Mountain King Vineyard
Photos by Suzanne Becker Bronk

The Mountain King

2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley AVA
Stonestreet Estate Block 82
Elevation: 2,400ft
Soil Composition: Gravelly clay over weathered sandstone

The name “The Mountain King” is a reference to this vineyard’s position, perched at the very top of Stonestreet Estate with exposures to the south and southwest overlooking Alexander Valley below. Composed of shallow, well-drained soils, this site receives ample sunlight and warmth from its position above the marine layer, while cooling afternoon winds from the Pacific Ocean bring balance, moderating afternoon heat throughout the growing season. The Cabernet Sauvignon from this block is incredibly structured and complex, with aromatics of black currant, freshly shaved graphite, and black tea leaf.

The Philosopher Grapes
The philosopher Vineyard
Photos by Suzanne Becker Bronk