Idlewild
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Country of Origin: USA
Location: Mendocino
People: Sam Bilbro, Owner & Winemaker
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
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The youngest son of Marietta Cellars’ Chris Bilbro, Sam Bilbro grew up tending vineyards and hanging out in his father’s old cow barn-turned winery. While Sonoma would always be home, it was through working in the restaurant industry that Sam garnered a passion for Piedmont-grown varieties. Inspired to bring the spirit of Northwest Italy to the rugged hills of Mendocino County, Sam founded Idlewild Winery in 2012 as a side project while working for a local biodynamic winery. He quickly found his stride, quitting his 9-5 two years later to focus entirely on Idlewild.
Sam practices minimalist intervention in both the vineyard and the cellar. Fruit is sourced from Lost Hills Ranch, Fox Hill Vineyard and Las Cimas. Lost Hills Ranch is farmed by Sam and Evan Lewandowski of Ruth Lewandowski Wines. These small vineyards are progressively-farmed with a holistic and organic approach, ensuring that both the site and vintage are allowed to speak. While not dogmatic in practice, this honest and sustainable approach is fundamental to the winemaking at Idlewild. In the cellar, wines are made naturally, with nothing added other than minimal additions of sulfites.
Uniquely fresh and focused, with notable vibrancy in fruit and savory qualities, Idlewild’s single variety and vineyard wines have gained a following for their energy and balance. As in Italy, where wine is an intrinsic part of culture and dining, Sam’s elegant and gulpable Piedmontese varietal blends strike a perfect balance between joy and depth.
Sam has also been instrumental in the organization of the "Seven % Solution," a coalition of like minded small North Coast producers dedicated to celebrating and encouraging the cultivation of varieties other than the 93% of vineyards planted to the eight mainstream grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Encouraging the diversification and progression in New World wine, these wineries defy the divide between old world and new world wine making and embody the spirit of the movement defined in Jon Bonne’s book The New California Wine.
Media Links:
Wine Enthusiast: 40 Under 40 Tastemaker
Revel Wine: Q&A with Sam Bilbro of Idlewild Wines
Sonoma Mag: The Big Punch: The Dirtiest Job in Winemaking