Best In Class | 2019 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Grenache Blanc is the main white grape in the Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf du Pape appellations. While plantings in California have increased considerably in the last few years, there are still only about 250 acres in the state. The warm days and cool nights of The Foothills showcase the unique qualities common to this varietal – a subtle richness and racy natural acidity.

93 Points & Editor's Choice Wine Enthusiast Magazine | "This wine tastes bold and assertive, pushing smoky oak and vanilla flavors close to the edge but rescuing them with attractive ripe flavors of blackberry and black cherry. The wine is full bodied, layered and mouthcoating, supported by moderate tannins that melt into the bold flavors." Reviewed by Jim Gordon

92 Points Wine&Spirits Magazine | "Skinner sources fruit from vines at a wide range of altitudes, from 1,300 to 3,000 feet, focusing mostly on grapes from Fenaughty and Sumu Kaw. This wine comes across as light and brisk, with a texture that’s just generous enough to mellow the cool spiciness and floral strawberry flavors. Fresh and pretty, it’s a lovely match for chicken liver mousse or most anything on a charcuterie plate." Wine&Spirits Magazine

92 Points Wine&Spirits Magazine | "This grows at Skinner’s Stoney Creek estate in Fair Play, where the petite sirah ranges from ten to 20 years old. It accounts for 86 percent of the blend, augmented with small amounts of counoise, syrah, viognier, grenache and mourvedre. Those other grapes may help to leaven petite’s tannins, which have mellowed over the course of two years in French oak (55 percent new) and a year in bottle. What’s left are scents of rocks and flowers, along with the chewy grape-skin tannins of petite. The wine is as black as you might expect; it’s also crunchy, and the floral notes keep coming on the finish. This should develop well with six to eight more years in bottle"

91 Points Wine&Spirits Magazine | "This makes a bright and airy first impression, with mountain-grown freshness to its sweet strawberry flavors. It’s a blend of mostly grenache, with some mourvedre and syrah, most of it purchased fruit. Oak adds a smoky element, but it’s the green-peppercorn spice and brisk strawberry fruit that lasts."

90 Points Wine&Spirits Magazine | "As a young wine it’s a big bruiser, focused [...] black-skinned fruit, with notes of chocolate, anise and black pepper trailing those tannins in the end. Brisk, tough and powerful, this is a mouth-filling red to decant for slow-braised short ribs"