They did not set out to make these wines. They discovered great vineyards at the edge of sensible farming and decided to bring them to light.

The farther they looked, the more they found – remote, challenging vineyards, with hard depleted soils, and intense sunlight tempered only by the coastal breeze. Vineyards capable of producing only the most idiosyncratic wines. Their goal as winemakers is to lightly polish the roughest edges and leave the idiosyncrasy intact. It is here in the back country, filled with individual character, where Le P’tit Paysan comes to life.

Winery Production: 11,000 / 9L cases

Varietals Produced: Chardonnay, Viognier, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Albarino.

Winemaker: Ian Brand

Ian Brand's first winery job was in the lab and cellar at Bonny Doon Winery in Santa Cruz. Ian was Vineyard Manager and Assistant Winemaker at Big Basin Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains for four years before he and Heather began their own project.

In the growing sites I Brand Family Winery looks for shallow, rocky soils, good site selection and proper varietal match with the soil and climate. The often overlooked greater Monterey Bay Area has a plethora of underappreciated, rocky vineyards.

Vineyard names:

Fellom Ranch, Bates Ranch, Besson, Summers, Wheeler, Brigantino, Bayly Ranch, Enz, Brosseau, Spur Ranch, Kristy, Quail Run, La Belle Rose, Cedar Lane, Mission Ranch, Escolle, Arroyo Seco Canyon, Los Ositos.

Farming:

Brosseau (cert organic)

Enz (practicing organic, dry farmed)

Besson (dry farmed)

Bates (dry farmed)

Sustainable: Kristy, Bayly, Quail Run, Los Ositos.