Cary Q Wines
Get the Dirt from winemaker Cary Quintana
“I’d tell my younger self to not be afraid to explore who you are, stretch boundaries, and be relentless and true to that. ”
What was your first vintage year? 2014
How many cases do you make per vintage? We make approximately 250 cases per year.
Do you have a Tasting Room? While we do not yet have an established tasting room (yet) we are happy to host a tasting at our winery during the non-harvest season.
What wine made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery?
Grenache was my inspiration grape. It is a varietal that has the ability to be very vibrant and expressive to its true environment. I followed my passion for the fermented grape and in 2013 moved to Berkeley, California. Self-taught, motivated with intention, and an alumna of UC Davis Viticulture and Enology Certificate Program, I released my first vintage in 2014 produced from organically farmed Sonoma fruit.
What varietals do you work with?
We work with Grenache, Mourvedre, and Tempranillo, and lately have found a few new favorite varietals in Cinsault and Picpoul Blanc. I enjoy working with varietals that have distinctive characteristic, and are able to show diverse styles based on their region or micro-climate.
What vineyards do you source from?
Throughout the last 10 years my focus has been to support family owned, farmed vineyards that are dedicated to organic and/or sustainable farming with an environmentally conscious ethos. Our fruit is sourced from organically and/or sustainably farmed, and family owned vineyards such as Shake Ridge Ranch in Amador County, that is farmed by viticulturist “extrodinaire” Ann Kraemer and Fenaughty Vineyards in El Dorado, which is managed by father-son growers Ron & Chuck Mansfield.
What type of oak treatment do you use?
In the cellar I lead with low-intervention philosophies, that include being sensorily vigilant, encouraging ambient fermentations, and minimal to no additives, all with the intention of highlighting a distinction in micro-climates and capturing pure and vibrant varietal expressions. My aging vessels vary by vintage and varietal inspiration which include concrete, stainless steel, and neutral French oak puncheons.
What do you love about your winemaking region? What makes it different special?
I favor these regions for their high-elevation, volcanic rich soils where Rhone varietals thrive.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about the wine business before you started your own winery?
I’d tell my younger self to not be afraid to explore who you are, stretch boundaries, and be relentless and true to that.
Most importantly, what's so great about being small? What can you do as a small winemaker, that wouldn't be possible for larger wineries?
As a small producer I am able to be more hands on and that allows me more creativity to explore unique varietals.
How do you view the future in the wine industry for small-lot winemakers?
Optimistically, small wine producers are true lovers of their craft, and there is a growing awareness and support from consumers wanting to engage with environmentally conscious farming and low-intervention winemaking philosophies and high-quality wines.
For more information about Cary Q Wines, please visit their website or follow them on Instagram.