Model Farm

WINERY MODEL FARM

The married couple Joanna Wells and Sean Castorani painstakingly cultivate their rows of vines by hand on the grounds of Model Farm, a biodynamic cooperative near the small town of Petaluma, not far from the Pacific Ocean in Sonoma County, California. Without the use of machines, using only tried and tested traditional winegrowing techniques. Their work in the vineyard is as elaborate as it is minimalist in the cellar: open spontaneous fermentation in small containers in a combination of wood and stainless steel; a high percentage of whole grapes for more aromatic intensity and richness of texture; wild natural yeast for more complexity in the mouthfeel.

A tiny little winemaking project that boldly produces individual wines with soul that remain in the memory. They add a new, sophisticated side to California's colorful spectrum of styles as visionary, sustainably produced natural wines.