Folk Machine Valdiguié, Redwood Valley '21

Kenny Likitprakong and his wife, Lynn, started Hobo Wine Company in 2002 by producing just two barrels of Dry Creek Zinfandel. Today they make a range of wines from across Northern California, the majority of which are produced from organic and sustainably farmed vineyards, and all are consistently great in terms of both quality and value. Folk Machine is a project of Hobo Wine Company and was created in 2005 as a home for Pinot Noir, but is now also the mainly dedicated to the producer’s more esoteric line of wines. The goal is to make wines that are balanced, have a sense of place and time, and, above all else, are delicious.

Valdiguié was once referred to as Napa Gamay in California because of its similarities in flavor and appearance to the Gamay of Beaujolais fame. It wasn’t until 1980 that it was discovered that Valdiguié is in fact from the Languedoc in France, where it is called Gros Auxerrois and not very well-known. And it wasn’t until around 2009 that wineries stopped labeling it as Gamay Beaujolais and started referring to it by its correct name. Now the grape is being embraced by many progressive wineries, including Folk Machine, which started bottling Valdiguié as a single variety about 15 years ago.
 
Grown for its dark color and low alcohol at full ripeness, this deeply flavored variety is characterized by notes of red and dark cherry, blackberry, and spice (pepper, clove), with bright floral aromatics as well. There’s no better time to drink Valdiguié than right now—it’s food friendly, great right out of the bottle, and delightful with a slight chill to it.