We’re excited to share our latest release, the 2023 Carhartt Venture ‘Entergalaktik 2’—our second white/red co-fermentation project, made right here in the Santa Ynez Valley. As a family-owned, small-batch winery, we love pushing boundaries and experimenting with winemaking techniques that bring something fresh to the table, especially with our Venture label! This wine is a perfect example of that approach, blending 60% French Colombard and 40% Carignan to create a fun, vibrant, and totally unique wine that’s sure to turn some heads at your next dinner party.
Let’s start with the basics. In traditional winemaking, red and white grapes are typically fermented separately. But with co-fermentation, we ferment the two types of grapes together, letting their unique characteristics mingle and evolve. The result? A wine that’s light and fresh, but also packed with complexity. It’s like blending two worlds—white and red wine—into one unforgettable bottle. I tend to relate this to food. Do you ever wonder why the mixture of ingredients sometimes tastes better the next day? I think of that magic as similar to co-ferments.
Here on the Central Coast and Santa Barbara County, we’re lucky to work with some incredible grape varieties, and French Colombard is on the list. This white grape has a bright, citrus-forward profile, and when harvested just right, it gives the wine a fresh, lively kick. Colombard has its roots in Cognac, France, but here in California, it really shines with its crisp acidity and floral character.
Now, let’s talk about Carignan. Originally from Southern France, this red grape is known for its earthy flavors and moderate tannins. Carignan brings a bit of bold structure to the wine, balancing out the lightness of the Colombard and giving it more depth. Together, these two create a wine that’s vibrant, complex, and, quite frankly, fun to drink.
For the 2023 Carhartt Venture ‘Entergalaktik 2’, we co-fermented French Colombard juice with whole-berry Carignan for over two weeks. After fermentation, we drained off the free-run juice and lightly pressed the Carignan to blend back into the mix. The wine was aged for about six months in neutral oak to keep the focus on the fruit, then bottled unfined and unfiltered, with no added sulfur. It’s as natural as it gets, which means we’ve let the grapes speak for themselves.
The result is a wine with aromas of fruit punch, hibiscus, and rose bud, followed by flavors of pomegranate, red tea, and zesty citrus pith. It’s light on tannins, fresh, and perfect for serving slightly chilled.
At Carhartt Family Wines, we’re all about making wines that reflect our small-batch philosophy and the unique characteristics of the central coast and specifically the Santa Ynez Valley terroir. The 2023 Carhartt Venture ‘Entergalaktik 2’ is no exception—it’s a wine that’s fun to drink, but still packed with complexity. We’re especially proud of how the French Colombard and Carignan came together to create a wine that’s approachable yet sophisticated. It’s the perfect bottle for those looking to try something different, but with a nod to classic winemaking traditions.
Now, let’s talk about what to eat with this wine. The 2023 Carhartt Venture ‘Entergalaktik 2’ is all about versatility, and we’ve got a few pairings that really let it shine:
The 2023 Carhartt Venture ‘Entergalaktik 2’ is perfect to drink now and can be enjoyed through 2027. I think it can certainly age longer, but with no added sulfur and a focus on drinking fresh, this is the ideal window. It’s perfect for a casual evening with friends, or paired with a delicious meal to make it a memorable occasion. Whether you’re at home or celebrating in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, this wine is sure to be a wild addition to the table.
Co-fermentations are more than just a fun winemaking trend—they’re a way to create truly unique wines. By fermenting both white and red grapes together, we can tap into a broader spectrum of aromas and flavors, resulting in wines that are full of surprises. They’re lighter than traditional reds, but with enough complexity to make them truly stand out.
We couldn’t be more excited to release the 2023 Carhartt Venture ‘Entergalaktik 2’—our latest dive into the world of co-fermentation. This wine is a testament to the beauty of natural wine, small-batch winemaking, and the incredible terroir of the Santa Ynez Valley. We hope you enjoy it as much as we’ve enjoyed making it!
👉 Interested in experiencing co-fermentation for yourself? Visit our shop and explore the 2023 Carhartt Venture ‘Entergalaktik 2’ today.
