Jolie-Laide "Queen of Pentacles" Sonoma County Aligoté 2025

This vibrant Aligoté opens with bright aromas of Meyer lemon, green apple skin, fresh pear and crushed white flowers. The palate is crisp and energetic, balancing citrus and tart nectarine with mouthwatering acidity, subtle salinity and a faint chalky mineral grip. Fresh and textured with a clean, mineral finish, it offers a lively California expression of this classic Burgundian grape.

Made from 100% Aligoté sourced from two contrasting Sonoma County vineyards, this wine brings together a cool, northeast-facing site with quartz- and schist-rich soils and a younger planting in the drier, lower-lying West County. The grapes are harvested by hand, often in the cool of the night, to preserve freshness, natural acidity, and structural balance. Whole-cluster pressed, the grapes were fermented and aged in concrete eggs and neutral puncheons, with native yeasts carrying out both primary and malolactic fermentation. The result balances coastal freshness and mineral tension with generous orchard-fruit character.

Founded in 2010 by Scott and Jenny Schultz, Jolie-Laide is a boutique Sonoma County winery known for its minimalist approach and commitment to exploring California’s lesser-known grape varieties. Named for the French expression meaning “pretty-ugly,” the winery embraces unconventional beauty through thoughtful sourcing and low-intervention winemaking. Working with independent growers across California, the Schultzes craft distinctive wines that celebrate each grape’s character and sense of place.