15 Oct Clif Family Winery & Farm
Clif Family Winery & Farm
709 Main Street, St. Helena, California, 94574
cliffamily.com
Region: Napa Valley
Owners: Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford
Winemaker: Laura Barrett
About: Founded by Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford, the co-creators of Clif Bar, Clif Family Winery & Farm has been crafting wine in Napa Valley for 20 years. As a B Corp-certified wine and food company, we focus on sustainable practices and farm over 10 varietals at our organically farmed estate vineyards, including Undiscovered Grapes like Malbec and Viognier. We are passionate about sharing delicious wines and the stories behind them.
In the cellar, my low-intervention approach embraces natural acidity, wild fermentation, non-interventionist aging, limited manipulation, and being sensorily vigilant ensuring that each vintage captures pure, vibrant varietal expressions. Inspired by each vintage and varietal, my aging vessels include concrete, stainless steel, and at times neutral French oak puncheons.
What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Viognier is our winemaker’s favorite because it’s expressive and fun to work with. It produces wines bursting with bright fruit and floral aromas—think ripe peach, tangerine, and honeysuckle—with subtle hints of vanilla and spice when lightly oaked. Its versatility in the cellar lets us craft wines that are flavorful, balanced, and easy to enjoy.
What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? A few years ago, we discovered Picpoul, a crisp, refreshing white grape. What surprised us most was how bright, zesty, and food-friendly it was—perfect for sipping on its own or pairing with meals. We loved it so much that we’re now planting Picpoul in our Napa Valley vineyards, excited to explore its potential and share a truly unique, lesser-known grape with our guests.
What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? What we love most about undiscovered grapes is the sense of adventure they bring. Each one has its own story, flavors, and personality, and working with them lets us experiment in the vineyard and cellar.
