Region: California, USA (Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, Sonoma County)
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Body: Medium to Full
Notes: Black currant, tart cherry, evergreen/cedar needles, cocoa nib, and black peppercorn, with high coastal acidity and firm, fine-grained, structured tannins
Pairing: Rosemary-rubbed pork chops, grilled lamb skewers, wood-fired wild mushroom pizza, or an aged clothbound cheddar
The Producer
Unturned Stone is an authoritative, small-production natural wine label based in California's North Coast, founded and operated by the winemaking duo Erin Mitchell and Randy Czech. Driven by a hands-off cellar philosophy and a dedication to organic viticulture, they source fruit exclusively from unique, climate-resilient family vineyards across Sonoma and Mendocino. Unturned Stone completely rejects the high-intervention, heavily manipulated style often associated with commercial California winemaking; instead, they trust spontaneous fermentations with native wild yeasts, utilize strictly neutral aging vessels to prevent heavy oak extraction, and bypass fining or mechanical filtration entirely. Their goal is to bottle distinct, food-friendly terroir that captures the raw, energetic coastal edge of Northern California.
The Wine
The 2021 "Spider Chase" Cabernet Sauvignon is a brilliant, highly scannable masterclass in cool-climate, mountain-grown viticulture that completely redefines the expectations for California Cab. The fruit is sourced from Waterhorse Ridge, a tiny, two-acre vineyard perched at a staggering 1,700-foot elevation on Stewart Ridge within the extreme Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. Planted in 1997 and meticulously farmed organically by owners Patricia Greer and Jesus Velasquez, the vineyard sits high above the blanket of Pacific fog, rooted in rocky, well-drained loam derived from uplifted ancient ocean floors and volcanic basalt. Because the vines are constantly shaped by cold ocean winds, the fruit avoids the heavy, jammy, high-alcohol profile of inland valley floors. In the cellar, Erin and Randy let the site speak clearly: handling the fruit with minimal intervention and aging it in completely neutral oak. The resulting 2021 vintage boasts stunning structural depth and a lower-density, "Old World" soul; it effortlessly balances a savory core of dark mountain berries and crisp cedar-wood herbs with a racy, alpine acidity and tightly wound, age-worthy tannins.
Region: California, USA (Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, Sonoma County)
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Body: Medium to Full
Notes: Black currant, tart cherry, evergreen/cedar needles, cocoa nib, and black peppercorn, with high coastal acidity and firm, fine-grained, structured tannins
Pairing: Rosemary-rubbed pork chops, grilled lamb skewers, wood-fired wild mushroom pizza, or an aged clothbound cheddar
The Producer
Unturned Stone is an authoritative, small-production natural wine label based in California's North Coast, founded and operated by the winemaking duo Erin Mitchell and Randy Czech. Driven by a hands-off cellar philosophy and a dedication to organic viticulture, they source fruit exclusively from unique, climate-resilient family vineyards across Sonoma and Mendocino. Unturned Stone completely rejects the high-intervention, heavily manipulated style often associated with commercial California winemaking; instead, they trust spontaneous fermentations with native wild yeasts, utilize strictly neutral aging vessels to prevent heavy oak extraction, and bypass fining or mechanical filtration entirely. Their goal is to bottle distinct, food-friendly terroir that captures the raw, energetic coastal edge of Northern California.
The Wine
The 2021 "Spider Chase" Cabernet Sauvignon is a brilliant, highly scannable masterclass in cool-climate, mountain-grown viticulture that completely redefines the expectations for California Cab. The fruit is sourced from Waterhorse Ridge, a tiny, two-acre vineyard perched at a staggering 1,700-foot elevation on Stewart Ridge within the extreme Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. Planted in 1997 and meticulously farmed organically by owners Patricia Greer and Jesus Velasquez, the vineyard sits high above the blanket of Pacific fog, rooted in rocky, well-drained loam derived from uplifted ancient ocean floors and volcanic basalt. Because the vines are constantly shaped by cold ocean winds, the fruit avoids the heavy, jammy, high-alcohol profile of inland valley floors. In the cellar, Erin and Randy let the site speak clearly: handling the fruit with minimal intervention and aging it in completely neutral oak. The resulting 2021 vintage boasts stunning structural depth and a lower-density, "Old World" soul; it effortlessly balances a savory core of dark mountain berries and crisp cedar-wood herbs with a racy, alpine acidity and tightly wound, age-worthy tannins.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.