Etna, California is nestled in the Scott Valley at the southern end of the Cascade range. Mt. Shasta (the second tallest peak in the range) looms over the valley.

The valley sits and 3500 feet and might be the most unique place for grapes to grow in California. Etna is home to Iruai wine. The winery responsible for making the town the most unique place to grow grapes. 

Prior to Iruai, Chad and Michelle made wine under their Methode Sauvage label, based out of a winemaking co-op in Berkeley. From the start there was a strong pull to make wines in the style of Jura or Savoie. Wines with grapes that could only come from those alpine climates.  In their search for similar grape varietals in California, Chad discovered a small AVA (American Viticultural Area) in Siskiyou County, Trinity Lakes, where he found Savagnin Blanc, a grape predominantly grown in Jura. Still under Methode Sauvage he bought a significant portion of the varietal and began to experiment. This discovery also opened their eyes to California's potential for cultivating more Alpine varieties.

Enter Etna, California. Etna is in Siskiyou County but outside the original AVA Chad and Michelle stumbled upon. No matter and maybe for the better, Chad and Michelle were able to find land and start a vineyard of their own. With this new venture, they renamed their operation to Iruai, the earliest known name for Scott Valley, and laid the foundation for a new tradition of winemaking they dubbed the “California Alps".

So let’s talk about the wine, Shasta Cascade White. The grapes are all Alpine classics, Savagnin, Grüner Vetliner, etc. Produced naturally without fining, filtration, or added sulfur dioxide, this wine is hazy and golden. In the glass, it is cleary inspired by Juran and Savoie wines, but not replicas. Unique interpretations reflective of the “Californian Alps” distinct terroir. It’s Limey and floral, with a strong herbal finish. If you are in the wine club and haven’t already finished off your bottle of Altesse, it would be a fun experiment to drink these two wines side by side. One will be able to draw similarities but also stark differences. 

Lastly, it can’t be understated that this area has no wine history. The duo at Iruai are pioneering a new region in and in the process establishing a new winemaking tradition for California. It’s a big undertaking but with wines like the Shasta Cascade White it seems that the future of wine is bright in the corner of the world. 

Make sure to check out Iruai's website to listen to each wines playlist while you drink it!

https://iruaiwine.com/new-products/2020-iruai-shasta-cascade-white

Winemaker: Iruai Wine / Chad and Michelle Westbrook Hinds

Country/Region: Etna, CA, USA

Grape: 30% Savagnin / 20% Grüner Veltliner / 20% Chenin Blanc / 20% Chardonnay / 10% Savagnin Rose Musqué 

Making of: Skin contact, No fining, no filtration

Notes:  Limes, cream soda, dry cider, herbal 

Food: Fish Tacos, Watermelon Salad, Fruit pies