Jolie-Laide "The Fool" Sonoma County Gamay Noir 2025

This lively Sonoma County Gamay is bright and inviting, with expressive aromas of wild raspberry, wild strawberry and cherry alongside cranberry tartness, peach and crushed summer herbs. Medium-bodied and completely dry, the palate balances juicy red fruit with delicate cinnamon spice, savory wet earth and a distinctive crushed-rock minerality. Fresh, crisp and energetic, it finishes with lovely length and a sense of effortless charm.

The 2025 vintage blends fruit from two distinct Sonoma County vineyards. One is a high-elevation, northeast-facing site on the county’s northern edge, rooted in quartz- and schist-rich Franciscan soils that bring brightness and lift. The other lies in the western Fountaingrove AVA, where iron-rich volcanic soils and ancient Sonoma Volcanics bedrock contribute earthy depth. In the cellar, whole clusters begin with carbonic maceration before being foot-crushed to complete fermentation in open-top tanks. The wine is then aged for six months in neutral French oak barriques, preserving its vibrant fruit and fresh, mineral-driven character.

Founded in 2010 by Scott and Jenny Schultz, Jolie-Laide is a boutique Sonoma County winery dedicated to unconventional beauty and California’s lesser-known grape varieties. Named for the French expression meaning “pretty-ugly,” the winery embraces low-intervention winemaking and thoughtful sourcing from independent growers. Winemaker Scott Schultz takes an intuitive approach, allowing each vintage to express its own personality while crafting distinctive wines that celebrate the individuality of their grapes and vineyards.