Herrmann York, Los Empleados (2024)

This is a burgeoning new winery in one of the youngest growing regions in America, namely the Inland Valley east of Los Angeles. Sometimes affectionally referred to as Inland Empire, these grapes are coming from places that look a lot like Joshua Tree: Riverside, San Bernardino, and Yucaipa Valley. A desert, in my imagination, but nevertheless a place that’s completely challenged my perception of what can be grown where.

VARIETY: 65%Zinfandel, 15% Grenache Noir, 15% Grenache Blanc,15% Barbera

TERROIR:The soils across the region are quite similar: predominantly decomposed granite from the San Gabriel (Lopez and Rock Farm) and San Bernardino (Snodgrass Vineyard) mountain ranges.

HARVEST:Grapes farmed by Jeff Newton and crew (Rock Farm), Agustine Olvera and crew (Lopez Ranch), and Donna Snodgrass and Cesar Roldan (Snodgrass Vineyard). Wine raised by Herrmann York.

VINIFICATION:The majority of the fruit was pressed, then spontaneously fermented in old French oak. It was dry in about a month and was then racked and aged for 7 months in old French oak.