Fringe Collective Winemaker Sebastian Donoso Photo Credit: Ashton Worthington
Fringe Collective, a label exploring California’s extreme vineyards and their expressions in the glass, debuts this week. Released by the new Fine Wine & Spirits Division at Fetzer Vineyards, Fringe Collective offers a West Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and a Bien Nacido Vineyards Pinot Noir, limited-production wines inspired by passionate growers whose vineyards demonstrate the potential of California’s terroir for wine grapes.
Fringe Collective Winemaker Sebastian Donoso was named to Wine Enthusiast‘s 2019 40 Under 40 Tastemakers list.
“The wines of Fringe Collective exemplify the passion and potential of California’s most exacting vineyards, and what’s possible in the winery when we push ourselves outside our comfort zones,” said Stephanie Peachey, VP-Fine Wine & Spirits at Fetzer Vineyards. “This project highlights our devotion to pursuing world-class craftsmanship in the cellar and beautiful and thoughtful label designs that deliver on what today’s engaged wine consumer seeks.”
Seafall Chardonnay ($50) is a vivid interpretation of the sandy earth, rolling fog and late-ripening vines of legendary West Sonoma Coast sites like Heintz Vineyard.
Rockbound Pinot Noir ($65) is a supple, mineral-focused wine grown among shale-strewn soils in the Santa Maria Valley’s renowned Bien Nacido Vineyards. In a rare move for red wines, Donoso barrel ferments the wine with whole clusters to capture the unique quality of the lignified grape stems and seeds that arise from the site’s lengthy, fog-laden growing season.