Their wines are not for sale in the Netherlands or Belgium, but we want to show that away from the beaten track, beautiful things are being done in America. Forlorn Hope is built on the vision of Matthew Rorick, who stepped into the wine world out of love for the unloved and obscure varietals of his homeland in early 2005.
Text: Marjolein Schuman | Image: Emma K. Morris
'Our first wines were self-sufficient beings
from unknown appellations'
He now makes natural wines from 75 hectares of organically grown vines in the rugged Sierra Foothills. On the limestone slopes of Rorick Heritage Vineyard, each individual plot is good for a particular grape variety. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats, well so pure (pictured, Matthew is cleaning them inside). In previous lives, he says he repaired undersea telescopes for the US Navy, rode skateboards for a living and built electric guitars. His love of wine was sparked by his grandfather David Rorick. Growing organically and reapplying pre-DRY winemaking traditions in California were inspired by long conversations with him at his dinner table.
FORLORNHOPEWINES.COM
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