Madson Wines Gamay Noir, Sta Rita Hills, California

Vivid, pure, and alive with coastal energy, the 2024 Madson Wines Gamay Noir channels the windswept beauty of California’s Sta. Rita Hills through a natural, minimal-intervention lens. From organically farmed vines rooted in chalk and diatomaceous earth, this Gamay bursts with life, bright red fruit, herbal freshness, and an undercurrent of minerality shaped by the Pacific’s cool breath. Cole Thomas and his team capture the vineyard’s vitality with a gentle, carbonic fermentation that preserves lift, texture, and joy. It’s a wine that hums with tension and transparency, vibrant, untamed, and unmistakably Californian.

Product Details:

• Winemaker: Cole Thomas
• Owners: Cole Thomas, Ken Swegles & Abbey Chrystal
• Varietal: Gamay Noir
• Viticulture: Organic
• Vinification: Carbonic fermentation with whole clusters; spontaneous fermentation; aged 6 months in neutral oak
• Aging: 6 months
• Fining or Filtering: None
• Sulfur: None added
• Soil: Marine sedimentary rock with high calcium and silica content, rich in chalk and diatomaceous earth
• ABV: Not stated (natural style, typically moderate)
• Production: Small lot, limited release

Sensory Description:

A luminous ruby hue hints at the wine’s vibrancy. The nose is alive with red cherries, wild strawberries, and plums, laced with savory tones of fresh herbs and stony earth. On the palate, a faint spritz from dissolved carbon dioxide gives a lively, dancing energy, balancing Gamay’s natural fruit exuberance with refreshing acidity. Notes of granite and subtle spice emerge toward the finish, carried by soft tannins and saline brightness. This is Gamay in its most playful, transparent form, joyous, light-footed, and bursting with vitality.

Awards & Accolades:

• James Suckling: “Bright and open-knit, with pinprick fizz and exuberant red fruit. Earthy, herbal, and joyous. Drink or hold.”

Winemaker's Background:

Founded by Cole Thomas in 2018, Madson Wines is a Santa Cruz–based project dedicated to expressing California’s coastal terroir through organic farming and minimal intervention, and joined by partners Ken Swegles and Abbey Chrystal, the Madson team brings agricultural experience, vineyard mastery, and a deep respect for nature to every bottle. Together, they craft wines that celebrate authenticity, texture, and the wild beauty of their region.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve slightly chilled at 55°F in a Burgundy or Zalto Universal glass to highlight its freshness and aromatics. Ideal with herb-roasted chicken, charcuterie, or grilled salmon. For a vegetarian pairing, try with a mushroom tartine or lentils with roasted root vegetables. Its delicate spritz and lively acidity make it equally delightful on its own, a perfect wine for picnics, gatherings, or moments of quiet joy.

Electric, soulful, and bursting with personality, the 2024 Madson Wines Gamay Noir captures the adventurous spirit of Santa Cruz winemaking, a radiant expression of place and passion in every glass.