The Collection
Shaped by the Wind
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The name, Le Mistral, comes from the name for the winds of the Rhône Valley in France, where blustery afternoons cool vineyards quickly and produce similar flavors in their native varietals like Syrah and Grenache. We are proud to farm the Le Mistral Vineyard in a sustainable way. This combines the best management practices from other farming systems, like organic and biodynamic, to positively impact the bottom line, environment, and society.
For our 2021 vintage of this storied blend, we have brought you our most Grenache-favored blend to date. This wine features Grenache grapes from Mission Ranch Vineyard added to our Le Mistral Vineyard grapes. Both located in the Arroyo Seco AVA, only about a mile apart, they each sit on ancient alluvial deposits that eroded from the Santa Lucia Mountains into granitic sand. When paired with a suitable climate, this sandy soil can enhance aromatic notes and force the vines to struggle – producing concentration and complexity in the fruit.
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The grapes were hand-harvested before sunrise and delivered to Folktale at dawn, where they were gently sorted and placed into bins for native fermentation. Daily hand punch downs macerated the fruit and helped extract tannin, color, and complexity into the fermenting juice. Once dry, the wine was racked into French oak for aging and bottled ten months later.
Raspberry, blackberry jam, clove, hay, leather, lavender, and cherry cola notes. The wine is elegant and has juicy tannins from the soft oak influence. This wine would pair well with anything from chicken, pasta, steak, or lamb.
Le Mistral
Joseph's Blend
2021
Appellation: Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County
Composition: 61% Grenache, 39% Syrah
Alc. by Vol.: 14.2%
pH: 3.59
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TA: 5.6 g/l
Our White Witch is a blend of four white varieties grown in Arroyo Seco that complement each other in a beautiful and harmonious way. Each lends different qualities that make this special wine – some add aroma, others brightness or texture. We started producing this wine a few years ago after planting some of these lesser-known varieties at the Le Mistral Vineyard, and we think this was one of our best decisions we’ve made. Each variety was harvested individually and pressed before being racked into the barrel for native fermentation. Once dry, the wines were allowed to undergo secondary, Malolactic fermentation to give the varieties texture and balanced flavors. The blend was put together in the spring and bottled mid-summer.
Peach, apricot, honeydew melon, candied pear, chalk, almond husk, and hay notes evolve as the wine opens up. The wine has moderate acidity and is balanced with a soft texture and creaminess that should pair with a variety of cheeses or seafood.
Le Mistral
The White Witch
2022
Appellation: Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County
Composition: 38% Roussanne, 34% Marsanne, 22% Grenache Blanc, 6% Viognier
Alc. by Vol.: 13.2%
pH: 3.41
TA: 5.9 g/l
Le Mistral
Chardonnay
2023
Appellation: Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey
County Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Alc. by Vol.: 13.0%
pH: 3.56
TA: 6.4 g/l
The 2020 California vintage faced extreme challenges, including intense heatwaves, severe drought, and devastating wildfires. Despite lower yields, some producers harvested grapes with remarkable concentration, hinting at the potential for exceptional wines from this difficult year.
The wine opens with aromas of fresh pear, lemon curd, and melon, accented by delicate notes of jasmine and salted butter. On the palate, it is silky and vibrant, offering juicy flavors of Meyer lemon, Anjou pear, and buttered toast. It has a luxurious, creamy finish that lingers beautifully.
Our quest for world-class Cabernet Sauvignon led us south along the Santa Lucia range to Paso Robles, where hot days are cooled by fog and wind coming in from the mountain gap. It is here that legendary winemaker, Don Brady, and industry veteran Randy Johnston, farm the Royal Estrella Vineyard, the main source for this wine. Located at the center of the region, the vines benefit from an extreme diurnal range, where days can reach over 100ºF and drop to 50ºF in the night. The result is big, ripe fruit and tannins with refreshing acidity and aroma. Led by Brady's experience and expertise, this Cabernet Sauvignon is an exciting new chapter in the story of Le Mistral.
Le Mistral
Cabernet Sauvignon
2021​​
Appellation: Paso Robles AVA
County Composition: 77% Grenache, 23% Syrah
Alc. by Vol.: 14.6%
pH: 3.74
TA: 6.4 g/l