Frenchtown Farms

  • Sierra Foothills, California, United States
Frenchtown Farms
  • We interact with every vine personally, making decisions that shape the future of the vineyard as well as the final wine in bottle for that vintage.  We consider the events of the past season, try to predict the coming months weather, and attempt to give each vine exactly the amount of work that it wants to do for the year. 

Aaron & Cara Mockrish ended up in North Yuba County with the intention of establishing a farm, but a bottle of Clos Saron Black Pearl 2008 sent them off on an unexpected path to winemaking. Having tasted the wine, they found that the man who made it lived near to their farm, and so they made it their mission to meet him. It was there, in Oregon House, California, that they found Gideon Beinstock, his tiny home vineyard, and their future.

They began learning from Gideon, everything from working in the vineyards to the winery and everything in between, and it was clear that not only was this the life for them, that this place was a singular place and the wines were unlike anything else. They managed to make a connection with Renaissance Winery (where Gideon had made his earliest, incredible wines, as well as many of the first vintages of Clos Saron), which was no longer producing their own wine, and leased their oldest producing vines.

This had three immediate effects. One: Frenchtown Farms was born. Two: Clos Saron regained access to this incredible vineyard. Three: Dani Rozman from La Onda has been able to work with this site and make wonderful wines. These three wineries represent something very special: the history and the future of this incredible terroir. Now only a few vintages in, we are observing the thrilling next phase of this long overlooked region.

Image Producer PRODUCT Description Country / Region

DB5194-21
Organic
Frenchtown Farms White Blend "The Pearl Thief" North Yuba
2021
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc (50%), and Semillon (50%) from Renaissance in North Yuba. The Renaissance vineyards tend to ripen unevenly due to the rows...
United States

DB5193-20
Organic
Frenchtown Farms Rose "Cecelia" North Yuba
2020
Syrah
Syrah (60%), Sauvignon Blanc (20%), Grenache (20%). The Sauvignon Blanc comes from an eastern facing hillside, and the Syrah/Grenache come...
United States

DB5166-18
Organic
Frenchtown Farms Cabernet/Merlot "Indigeaux" North Yuba
2018
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (30%), and Semillon (5%) from Renaissance. 2018 was a beautiful growing season, and both the Cabernet...
United States

DB5167-19
Organic
Frenchtown Farms Syrah "Suba Rosa" North Yuba
2019
Syrah
100% Syrah from the Renaissance Vineyard in North Yuba. The Syrah vineyard sits at 2300’ of elevation on a steep eastern-facing slope. Due...
United States

DB5165-20
Organic
Frenchtown Farms Syrah/Grenache "Cotillion" North Yuba
2020
Syrah
Syrah (50%), Grenache (50%) from Renaissance Vineyard in North Yuba. The fruit was harvested over a two week period and hand destemmed....
United States

DB3865-21
Organic
Frenchtown Farms Mourvedre/Grenache “Chasse Patate”
2021
Mourvèdre
Mourvedre (70%), Grenache (30%). Chasse Patate is an expression of the lighter side of the Sierra Foothills. The Naggiar Vineyards in Grass...
United States