PRODUCER: Alma Fria
REGION: West Sonoma Coast, California, USA
WINEMAKERS: Carroll Kemp
WINERY HISTORY
Founded in 2012, Alma Fria is a small boutique winery near Annapolis, nestled in the hills of the brand-new West Sonoma Coast AVA - an appellation they were pivotal in founding. The winery is largely a one-man team, beginning life as a side project of former Hollywood producer turned renowned winemaker Carroll Kemp. He has headed the winery since its establishment, with support from entrepreneur Jan Holtermann in Alma Fria’s bold step into the unknown. The Holtermann's have now taken a step back, leaving Carroll in complete operational control of the winery. Since selling his stake in the renowned Red Car Winery, Carroll has dedicated himself wholly to the production of wine in this rugged, ocean-spray swept part of the California coast.
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING
In leaving Red Car for Alma Fria, Carroll sought to refine his winemaking to the purest form. Working to his own rhythm and philosophy - and with no pressure to produce more than a few thousand cases per year - Carroll crafts some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay found in Sonoma. With an intimate connection to the land and a dedication to minimal intervention winemaking, Carroll continues to draw out the majesty of this brand-new appellation. This is remote farming at its best, viticulture on the very edge of possibility. The winemaking philosophy is rooted in reflecting on, listening to, and tasting the nuances of their vineyards. By embracing the natural process of fermentation and respecting the authentic expression of their grapes, they craft wines that truly showcase the complexity and character of their terroir.
The wines are balanced and elegant, characterised by a dynamicity and exuberance which excite the palate. Critically acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon are sourced from organically farmed vineyards. It is the attention to detail, from the stem inclusion in their Pinot Noirs to the meticulous use of oak in their Chardonnays, which sets Alma Fria apart. As the West Sonoma Coast AVA gains prominence, Alma Fria stands poised to become one of its defining wineries.
