Several weeks ago, I had the privilege to sit down with Raghni Naidu, founder of Naidu Wines in Sonoma County. Born and raised in the state of Punjab in India, Raghni immigrated to the San Francisco Bay area in 2006. Naidu Wines was “fueled by Raghni’s zeal and is inspired by the farm-to-table lifestyle she experienced over the years.” Her family had a “kitchen garden” and her mother was an excellent cook. Having traveled extensively, Raghni explained that “on one family road trip from Monte Carlo to Barcelona, via Les Baux-de-Provence, France, the cuisine informed her palate and her worldview.”
Raghni Naidu shares her heritage and story as an immigrant at Naidu’s tasting room experiences, during restaurant collaborations and through placements on a bevy of wine lists. She has partnered with premier restaurants and chefs and has had her wines poured at James Beard Foundation dinners and at the British Consulate in San Francisco. To visit Naidu Wines, click HERE.
What makes Naidu Wines notable is not just the world-class region in which the grapes are cultivated. After tasting through several of her selections, it’s apparent that the extremely high quality of each wine is a result of superior balance of flavor, acidity and texture. Each selection can complement a range of foods from Indian and Thai to Mediterranean to American classics in a variety of settings. Curious? Read on.
Photo Credit: Naidu Wines
We want to have fun with this! We’re very well received so far and we have multiple wines – not just one flagship wine. All of our wines are consistently good with a specific level of quality, elegance and balance – true characteristics of a good winery. The wines are intentional and deserve to be poured in the best settings so that the right person can appreciate them. We produce Brut Sparkling Wine, a Brut Rosé, a Rosé of Pinot Noir, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
We use French oak barrels from Bourgogne. My winemaker, Matt Duffy, is very talented and shares the same high standards as me. We taste the wines from barrels together to make sure we’re on the right path. The high points we receive tells me that what we’re doing is good. It’s validation that Naidu Winery is on the right track. Excerpt from A Conversation with Raghni Naidu, Founder of Naidu Wines
Our first wine was NV Sparkling Brut ($40), an afternoon delight of 63% Chardonnay, 27% Pinot Noir, 8% Piot Blanc and 2% Pinot Gris. Fresh and fruit driven, the slightest amount of sweet was a lovely complement to vegetable tacos I enjoyed with Raghni at lunch. NV Sparkling Brut Rosé ($45) was a lovely bubbly perfect on its own or with appetizers and good friends. 82% Pinot Noir and 18% Chardonnay offered bright and juicy red berries on the nose and palate. 150 cases were make of both wines that were produced using the traditional method whereby the second fermentation is in the bottle.
2022 Viognier ($50) is from Catie’s Corner Vineyard on Goldridge sandy loam soil in the Russian River Valley. It exuded intense aromatics of stone fruit and citrus leading to bright acidity and more citrus on the palate. This Viognier was aged in neutral French oak barrels for only four months to preserve freshness before filtration and bottling. 88 cases were made. Aged in French oak barrels for 10 months, even those who aren’t fans of Chardonnay will appreciate 2022 Chardonnay ($50) from Catie’s Corner Vineyard. Optimally balanced with fruit notes and a lingering finish, Raghni’s goal for high quality is evident in each sip. 108 cases were produced.
Pinot Noir is one of my go-to food friendly wines and Naidu Wines offers two notable selections. 2022 Pinot Noir ($60) from the Russian River Valley showcases fruit from two vineyards: Naidu Estate and Marshall Ranch, both on sandy loam soil of Goldridge class. The wine was aged for 10 months in oak with 40% new oak and no filtration. Textured with a round mouthfeel, rich red fruit and a lush finish, open this wine now although it has the ability to age. 202 cases were produced. Raghni Naidu explained that “the 2021 Estate Pinot Noir ($75) is the most complete wine bottled to date.” The 2021 growing season was cool, smoke free and late resulting in “the best vintage in Sonoma County in at least five years.” Aged in French oak for 15 months, this wine boasting depth, intense flavor and texture was bottled unfiltered.
Photo Credit: Naidu Wines
2022 Cabernet Franc ($65) is from an officially certified organic vineyard, Cassata Vineyard, in Sonoma County. Trust me when I say that it ticks all the boxes for any true Cab Franc aficionado. 105 cases were produced of this lush wine with depth and breadth from the first whiff to final sip. Aged in French oak for 16 months before bottling without fining or filtration, your dinner party guests await for their first pour.
Photo Credit: Naidu Wines
Cheers! ~ Cindy
You may enjoy the following article about Raghni Naidu: A Conversation with Raghni Naidu, Founder of Naidu Wines in Sonoma County. Click the title to read or HERE.
For your free infographic, “4 Keys to a Stellar Wine Pick” and a subscriber-only coupon code for the online course “Discover the Essentials of Wine (and choose it like a pro!)” click here.
