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Sam Bilbro followed his love of all things Italian when he made the leap to create Idlewild Wines, which focuses entirely on Italian varities grown in California. Sam grew up in a winemaking family, as his father stared Marietta Cellars, which his brother Scot now runs, and his brother jake owns Limerick Lane.
- Winemaker: Sam Bilbro
- Farming: Sustainable with Organic practices
- Variety: 41% Nebbiolo, 30% Dolcetto, and 29% Barbera and a touch of Grignolino
- Terroir: The fruit mostly comes from Fox Hill Vineyard and Lost Hills Ranch. Soil is well drained with high concentrations of gravel and sandstone and schist.
- Vinification: To say the least, it is an unconventional idea for Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera, and Grignolino to be co-fermented for a rosé. It should be noted that these grapes ripen at very different times. But in this case, they were all picked together at the moment when their different qualities and stages of ripeness came together and were complimentary. In the winery, the grapes were whole cluster pressed, fermented via native yeast, left on all the lees and solids, aged in neutral oak, and underwent native secondary fermentation. Complexity and texture are gained from allowing secondary fermentation and aging on lees in neutral oak for four months, while the structure and acidity from picking plenty early allow for great vibrancy and energy through the wine.