After a couple of decades of making a name for himself in the NYC wine scene as an award-winning wine director and sommelier, Richard Luftig traveled west to California with the goal of making delicious, unmanipulated wine that is affordable. His vision led him to Sonoma and the creation of Pied à Terre, with a focus on both sustainable and healthy viticulture practices and minimal intervention techniques in the cellar. Richard believes that “the farmer’s foot is the best fertilizer. When the land is well-trodden, the vine will be well-tended, the details not overlooked.” Hence, the name “Pied à Terre,” which translates to “foot on the ground” and how that philosophy has guided Richard to making some of the best quality-to-value wines you can find in California.

The Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is entrancing. The nose offers seductive aromas of dark red and black fruits kissed with bittersweet chocolate. There is great density and concentration on the attack, leading to flavors of black cherry and cassis washing across the palate. Decadently structured, those lush fruits are carried to a seemingly unending finish by velvety smooth tannins and delicate acidity. Classic pairings for this wine… Beef Wellington with potatoes Dauphinoise and heirloom carrots or herb-crusted rack of lamb on a bed of sautéed Swiss chard with cauliflower purée.