Carroll Kemp's Alma Fria captures the true Sonoma Coast like few others.

Carroll was previously the visionary behind Red Car – a winery with a track record of making some of the best Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (and putting its rosé format on the map). After great success there, the sale of Red Car allowed him to pursue winemaking that reflects a very special place: the West Sonoma Coast.

It’s one of California’s newest AVAs, made official in 2022 but founded by Carroll and five like-minded friends over a decade prior. Anchored by a border with Russian River AVA in the south, it stretches up along the San Andreas fault line where Sonoma’s craggiest foggy hills meet the Pacific Ocean. It’s no accident that you’ll find many of our favorite Sonoma producers among its members. The vineyard above doesn’t exactly scream California sunshine; but, a super moderating maritime climate makes for some of the most balanced ripening in the state.

Alma Fria (“soul of the cold”) captures this profoundly, with bottles that quietly dot Michelin-starred wine lists: Pinot Noir (of course), a traditional method vin gris version, and one of the only Sonoma Coast examples of Cabernet.

There's a polish that speaks to Carroll's expert hand, and an intensity that could only be from this place. These special bottles just landed on Fulton St – details below.

2022 Alma Fria Plural Sparkling Rose of Pinot Noir
Traditional method vin gris bursting with energy and finesse. Orange citrus and ripe blossoms are balanced by fresh acidity.

2022 Alma Fria Plural Pinot Noir
Dark red berry fruit, fresh savory herbs, and an orange citrus quality that is distinctive to West Sonoma Coast Pinot. Beautiful and fresh, but pensive.

2022 Alma Fria Plural Cabernet Sauvignon
A savory Cabernet that is both varietally correct (cautiously extracted, herbal, graphite minerality, silky tannins) and uniquely expressive of the saline, cool-climate vineyards where the fruit is grown.