6450 1st St., Forestville, CA 95436
tansywines.com
Region: Sonoma
Owners: Kitty Oestlien and Shelley Lindgren
Winemaker: Megan Glaab
About: Kitty Oestlien and Shelley Lindgren founded Tansy Wines in 2020 with friendship and camaraderie at the core, and haven’t looked back. It started with a conversation around a table at Shelley’s A16 restaurant, known for introducing southern Italian wines to diners. They talked about how well these varietals grow in California, and what an incredible adventure it would be to make these wines themselves.
As they started down the path, they also saw an opportunity to create a modern wine brand, one that is owned by women, made by women, and is synonymous with the things they hold near and dear—community, organic, and sustainable farming, and sitting around a table. They’re still building that vision, and thank you for joining them on the journey.
What is your favorite undiscovered grape?
Shelley – Ruche is a small percentage of what is in our Field Blend, but its lavender and floral aromatics are the first notion that there is something wonderful and magical happening, unique to its small production in Italy and even smaller in California.
Kitty – Too hard to choose. We love Fiano.
What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape?
Shelley – Being an Italian-focused sommelier, there is a world of forgotten grapes being rediscovered and enjoyed more than ever before. With such a deep history of viticulture and agriculture, including grapes as a big part of the economy and culture, wine is preserved as a part of the local lifestyle and is important to the heritage and history of Italians. Many of the Italian grapes were planted in the late 1800s in California and are currently having a resurgence.
Kitty – Years ago, I remember that I was dining at A16 and I felt like a Chablis, so Shelley Lindgren recommended a Sicilian Carricante. Wow, DELICIOUS. This changed my perspective on white grape varietals, for the better.
What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes?
Shelley – Undiscovered grapes tell their story of survival and journey of where they originated and what life was like during their journey, mostly through Europe to the New World.
Kitty – I love how well they pair with the locally farmed fruits, vegetables, and meats that are available in California. Napa and parts of Sonoma have climates that mimic parts of Italy, so the pairings are perfect! I also love the history and origins of these grapes. It’s a great way to learn more about the world!
