Phelan Farm 'Autrement', San Luis Obispo County, California

Carved from the wind-sculpted hillsides of Cambria’s Pacific edge, the 2024 Autrement captures the pulse of a vineyard ecosystem alive with fog, forest, and salt-laced air. Born from Phelan Farm’s radical commitment to regenerative farming, this unlikely blend of Gamay, Mondeuse, and Pinot Noir channels both alpine lift and coastal gravity, translating Rajat Parr’s soil-first philosophy into a wine that feels elemental, raw, and deeply rooted in place. With only 500 cases crafted entirely by hand, Autrement 2024 stands as a vibrant testament to what can happen when California fruit meets uncompromising stewardship and a fiercely expressive terroir.

Product Details:

• Varietals: 50% Pinot Noir, 25% Gamay, 25% Mondeuse
• Vineyard: Estate-grown at Phelan Farm, three miles from the Pacific Ocean
• Soils: Clay and quartz
• ABV: 12.5%
• Farming: Mixed permaculture, regenerative, and biodynamic-inspired practices; no-till agriculture; no copper or synthetic inputs
• Fermentation: 100% destemmed; fermented by native yeasts in open-top stainless steel for ~13 days
• Aging: 14 months in neutral oak barrels
• Additions: No additives or sulfur during vinification (trace sulfur post-elevage only if needed)
• Production Volume: 500 cases (6,000 bottles), hand-bottled and labeled on site

Sensory Description:

Autrement 2024 opens with lifted aromas of alpine strawberry, crushed violets, wild herbs, and a whisper of salty Pacific air. The palate is electric yet composed. Gamay contributes bright red fruit and spice, Mondeuse adds tension and mineral drive, while Pinot Noir weaves in quiet elegance and aromatic finesse. The wine moves with vibrancy and precision, balancing juicy fruit with savory undertones and a fine, humming line of acidity. Its finish is long, naturally energetic, and unmistakably shaped by the purity of Phelan Farm’s regenerative farming.

Winemaker's Background:

Rajat Parr, one of America’s most influential wine voices, channels decades of tasting, traveling, and cellar work into Phelan Farm, his most intimate and agricultural project to date. Set in the maritime cool of Cambria on land first planted by Greg Phelan in 2007, the estate has evolved into a regenerative, biodiverse ecosystem where vines grow alongside sheep, native plants, and thriving microbial life. Raj farms without tilling, synthetic inputs, copper, or conventional additives, using kelp ferments, compost teas, raw milk, and seawater to support vine health. In the cellar, wines are moved by gravity, fermented with native yeasts, and bottled by hand without fining or filtration. The result is a portfolio defined by transparency, liveliness, and fearless varietal exploration.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve lightly chilled around 55°F, allowing the wine’s tension and aromatics to shine. Autrement is a natural match for wood-fired vegetables, duck with wild herbs, mushroom risotto, charred leeks, or game birds. It also excels with alpine-style dishes and thoughtfully spiced cuisine, making it an essential bottle for lovers of energetic, terroir-driven reds with both soul and precision.