Jolie-Laide Aligote, California

Jolie-Laide’s inaugural Aligoté is a story of patience, place, and precision. Years in the making, this bottling brings a grape traditionally associated with Burgundy into the cool-climate pockets of California’s Russian River Valley and San Benito County. Farmed organically and sustainably, these two sites, Las Cimas and Siletto Family Vineyards, bring together coastal fog, Pacific breezes, and complex soils that shape an Aligoté of crystalline purity. Winemaker Scott Schultz handles the fruit with signature restraint, fermenting with native yeast and aging in concrete eggs and neutral puncheons. The result is a wine that quietly builds in complexity with time open, offering a bright, mineral-driven expression that captures the Jolie-Laide spirit: unconventional beauty with a soulful edge.

Product Details:

• Varietal: 100% Aligoté
• ABV: 13.0%
• Farming Practices: Organic farming (Siletto Family Vineyards); Sustainable farming (Las Cimas Vineyard)
• Elevation: 800 ft (Las Cimas Vineyard); 600 ft (Siletto Family Vineyards)
• Soil Types: Franciscan complex soils (Las Cimas Vineyard); Alluvial gravelly loam (Siletto Family Vineyards)
• Fermentation: Native yeast; Spontaneous malolactic fermentation
• Aging: Concrete eggs and neutral puncheons
• Fining/Filtering: Unfined, Unfiltered
• Winemakers / Owners: Scott Schultz and Jenny Schultz

Sensory Description:

Floral and elegant, this Aligoté is all about vibrant freshness and quiet energy. Aromas of white flowers, wet stone, and ocean air give way to a palate of crisp Forelle pear and green apple, framed by racy acidity and abundant wet rock minerality. A delicate oceanic salinity lingers on the finish. As Jennifer Maglieri would say, “This wine knows exactly who it is, calm, focused, and confident in its skin.”

Winemaker’s Background:

Jolie-Laide is the personal project of Scott Schultz, a one-man operation crafting small-lot wines out of Sebastopol, California. Producing just 500 cases annually, Scott’s focus is on varieties that sit outside the mainstream, made with minimal intervention. The name Jolie-Laide, loosely translated as “pretty-ugly”, reflects his passion for finding beauty in the unexpected. Scott’s journey into winemaking began in Chicago’s restaurant scene, later taking him to Napa Valley, where he led the wine program at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon. His collaborative work with Wind Gap, Ryme Cellars, and Arnot-Roberts sharpened his commitment to organically and sustainably farmed fruit and honest, transparent winemaking.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve chilled at 48–52°F. This Aligoté pairs beautifully with oysters on the half shell, scallop crudo, or shrimp ceviche. Its bright acidity and salinity also make it an excellent match for fresh goat cheeses, spring salads, and vegetable-driven dishes. Give it time to breathe; it evolves beautifully in the glass.