Epoch’s Gratitude: California Wildfires Fundraising
Like so many of you, we are devastated by the Los Angeles fires. The level of destruction is hard to fathom, and we are heartbroken for all of those affected. In an attempt to do something to support those in need, we have added our 2021 Gratitude back to our Online Store, and proceeds from these sales will now go directly to the American Red Cross. We are deeply grateful for the brave first responders working tirelessly to help. Friends in Los Angeles, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We hope these Gratitude proceeds help in some small way to improve the tragic situation down south.
If you would like to make a direct donation to the American Red Cross, we have launched a fundraising campaign.
Help people affected by the California Wildfires.
Our hearts are with those whose lives have been upended by devastating wildfires across southern California. The combination of dry fuels, hurricane-force winds and low humidity have fed the fires, challenging efforts to contain the blazes as they consume tens of thousands of acres. The two largest fires, Palisades and Eaton, are among the top five most destructive in California’s history. Hundreds of evacuees woke up in emergency shelters this morning, many of whom are struggling after losing everything. The threat isn’t over, and some communities remain at risk. More than 200 American Red Cross workers are helping southern California residents fleeing from the massive and fast-moving wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes of all sizes. The Red Cross is working closely with our partners to provide safe shelter, food, emotional support and other critical services to those in need and is focused on making sure everyone has a safe place to stay. Please donate today to help people recover from this disaster so no one faces this heartbreaking crisis alone.
For those who are new to our Gratitude project, we released our third vintage of this wine in November, 2024. Gratitude was created during the depths of the Covid Pandemic of 2020 when we all needed some joy. We wanted to express our appreciation to those who were on the front lines during that tough year, so we named a new wine “Gratitude” and donated its proceeds to charity. Our first Gratitude bottling was a 2018 Barossa Valley Grenache that we made in collaboration with Michael Twelftree of Two Hands Winery in Australia. 2021 Gratitude is our third bottling of this special edition wine and is similar in pedigree to our 2020 Gratitude: a blend of mostly Grenache with a hint of Clairette Blanche from our Paderewski Vineyard crafted by the talented hands of good friends, Jordan Fiorentini and Anne Charlotte Melia of Château de la Font du Loup in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Anne Charlotte and Jordan decided to work together to plant a small vineyard block on some raw land at our Paderewski Vineyard. Together they selected the clone of Grenache, the vine spacing, as well as the training style to mix some old-world sensibilities into our new-world soil. The Grenache is a heritage CdP Grenache clone, own-rooted, and planted head-trained with a bit wider spacing than our normal blocks. They also co-planted a bit of Clairette Blanche, a white Rhône variety, in with the Grenache to bring some freshness to the wine and mimic some of the field blends of old vine vineyards in the south of France. We cannot wait for you to taste this expression of their shared love for winemaking and, specifically, Grenache.
2021 Gratitude
Varietals: 92% Grenache, 8% Clairette Blanche
Birthplace: Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Paso Robles, AVA Willow Creek District
Price: $75
94 points | Based on 92% Grenache and 8% Clairette that was brought up in neutral oak, the 2021 Gratitude has a light ruby hue as well as a beautiful perfume of wild strawberries and ripe cherries, spring flowers, and chalky minerality, with a kiss of pepper. Medium-bodied, nicely balanced, and structured, it’s another terrific wine that will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age.— Jeb Dunnuck
