Chateauneuf-du-Pape, when translated means “new castle of the pope.” It refers to the time in the 14th century when the pope resided not in Rome but in the walled city of Avignon, France.
A papal summer house was built among the vineyards and used for the next six centuries. The region is the most southern Rhone appellation and both red and white wines are produced. There are just 13 grape varieties permitted to be used in Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines. Only six white wines, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Picpoul and Picardan are permitted.
In 2022, I was checking the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Gold winners. A winery called Acquiesce won four Best of Class awards, all white Rhone varietals from Lodi. This amazing feat meant that all four would be in competition against all the other Best of Class white wines. including themselves, for the Best White Wine of the 2022 SFCWC. The 2020 Mokelumne River Viognier from Acquiesce Winery won that award and their Picpoul Blanc, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc also played a big role in celebrating the Acquiesce team. Their success wasn’t a fluke. In 2023 and 2024, they continued to rack up Golds, Double Golds, Best of Class, Best of Region and Best of California awards in the SFCWC, the California State Fair, the Sunset International, the Los Angeles International, the American Fine Wine Competition and the International Women’s Competitions.
In 2003, Rodney and Susan Tipton purchased a farm in Lodi after Rodney’s job took them all over the U.S. and overseas for many years. The farm had 12 acres of Zinfandel, a house and a 120-year-old barn. With the help of a consultant, Susan became the winemaker, focusing mostly on Roses but she personally favored white wines. She tried a white wine from Chateau Beaucastel, one of the top wineries from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. She returned to BevMo to buy more. The clerk checked and said that was the last bottle in California. She was definitely hooked on Rhone Whites. In 2008 four acres were planted to Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier and Picpoul Blanc. And later, they were the first to plant Bourboulenc in the United States. The first vintage for sale was in 2012 and Acquiesce Winery sold out in just six months. And the word spread. You can order the wine on line or purchase at the winery, which is open for elevated tastings Thursdays to Sundays. Four selected wines are matched with food pairings. The fee is $20 for a one hour, relaxed informative presentation with absolutely no pretension. The best deal would be to join the wine club with 20% off six bottles twice a year, invitations to special events, four tastings for four people per year and a guarantee to get every release. I suggest you go to their website for more information.
“Acquiesce” is a verb meaning to surrender or to become quiet. Acquiesce has become their mantra, to submit to nature, to yield to the vineyard, to acquiesce to the grapes so they present their own true character. The wines here are the winners, guided by Susan and Rodney Tipton and winemaker Christina Lopez. The Navigator and I enjoyed our tasting. We talked about it all the way home. So yes, there are Chateauneuf-du-Pape white wines produced and bottled in Lodi, thanks to Acquiesce Winery.
What’s on our table
The 2021 Saint Roch Old Vine Rose from the Cotes du Roussillon region in France is 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. And that’s not all. It’s an Eric Solomon Selection. It was delicious and was just $3.99. I bought six bottles. I took a chance and bought six bottles of the 2019 Bridlewood Monterey County Pinot Noir, only $4.50. It is a good light house red. Together, that made a case and at this Grocery Outlet they take another 10% off. My case was just $52. That is a deal. Cheers!
Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com .
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