Nicholas Palumbo of Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery
Tell us about the sustainable and eco-friendly practices at the vineyard: At Palumbo Winery, we are certified by the California Sustainable Wine Growing Program in both the winery and the vineyard. We are members of the Santa Margarita watershed monitoring program and also utilize ADCON weather station monitors to help us best identify upcoming vineyard issues to proactively react to weather situations that might otherwise require nonorganic pesticide or fungicide interventions. We recycle and compost all of our grape and post-fermentation waste to better reduce our carbon footprint and help replenish our soils. We actively encourage the presence of natural beneficial wildlife including insects that combat grapevine pests, owls, hawks and raising our own livestock to help replenish our souls. Our sustainability practices in the winery start from the foundation; our tasting room bar and interior are constructed almost entirely of recycled and repurposed materials. The cellar was specially constructed with modern and specific-to-winery cooling systems and the construction of the building is custom designed to increase insulation and reduce wasted air-conditioning.
Tell us about the varietals you make: We specialize in red varietals with estate varietals including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. We only grow one white varietal and that is Viognier. We recently replanted a section of our vineyard to diversify with some new varietals which are Grenache, Tannat and Nero d’Avola.
What wine should readers try right now?
2016 Sophia’s Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon