LO-FI Trousseau

"Trousseau" from Lo-Fi Wines is a captivating natural red wine that showcases the rare Trousseau grape with a distinctly Californian, low-intervention flair. Crafted by lifelong friends Mike Roth and Craig Winchester, this wine hails from their Clos Mullet vineyard in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara County, where organically farmed vines thrive in sandy loam soils. Hand-harvested and fully destemmed, the grapes undergo a two-week maceration, fermenting spontaneously with native yeasts in neutral French oak barrels (228L and 600L, aged four years or more). After six to ten months of aging, it’s bottled unfined, unfiltered, and with minimal sulfur (around 25-35 mg/L), preserving its vibrant, living character. Pouring a translucent ruby, it offers an aromatic burst of tart raspberry, sour cherry, hibiscus, and sage, with a subtle earthy undertone. On the palate, it’s light, bright, and impeccably balanced—crisp acidity and a dry finish make it a refreshing, food-friendly red. Perfect with roasted poultry or root vegetables, this Trousseau reflects Lo-Fi’s philosophy of honest, unmanipulated wines that prioritize drinkability and soul over polish, with production often limited to just 24-50 cases per vintage.