CLEMENTINE CARTER
She captured my heart the first time I saw her years ago with my sweet dad Kalche watching My Darling Clementine. I have not been able to shake her since. Her character represents determination and ingenuity across complicated landscapes. Plus, her name rules. Sonja is great - I love it. It is everything to me. It’s also nice that Clem gets to wear a cowboy hat on her travels and I get to go along for the ride.
Rhône varietals grown in Santa Barbara Wine Country are the focus of Clementine Carter, particularly Grenache and my new love Mourvèdre. Grenache is a crazy challenging grape to farm. Big clusters, big berries, thick skins (contrary to what books will tell you. We are different here). Farming Grenache is all about nuance. Finding the right zone with the correct balance to elevate the sexy, elegant, finessed tingles beautiful wine can impart. I have had the privilege of working with almost every Grenache vineyard in Santa Barbara County searching for the ones that resonate with me and my goals - to deliver a pure wine experience with pure intention. I have made a lot of Grenache in my 20 years making wine and I joke that I don’t really know what Grenache tastes like. Each wine should taste likes its home.
Sincerity. Purity. Love.
“The site, the farming team, the camaraderie and mutual respect for one another are what make wines delicious. ”
Clementine Carter has been a joy to explore, particularly in finding collaborative partners. Rachel Taylor, that tender, tough soul, drew the sketches freehand that appear throughout the label lineup. Alexandra Gibbs, that sweet child with the brilliant eye and easy smile took all photos for Clementine Carter. Andrew Harner, the designer who understands intention in just a few words, created the labels. Sonja Magdevski, proprietor, giant, winemaker, writer-girl who asks too many questions produced all the goods in the bottles. Enjoy.