Rajat Parr is well known for his yearslong collaborative work with Sashi Moorman – making exceptional wines at Evening Land, Sandhi and Domaine de la Côte. But, it’s his personal work that is sharply reframing what California looks like.

With a swath of these landing at the same time, we decided to dive into each below: his nose-to-tail estate wines from Phelan Farm, his exploration of Southern California with Scythian Wine Co. and, his newest addition, the focused micro-négoce Brij Wines. 

The Estate in Cambria: PHELAN FARM

In Cambria on the Pacific-hewn San Luis Obispo 'SLO' Coast, Phelan Farm is on the physical and climatic edge of California. It's his opus: an 1850s farm where the nomadic sommelier finally put down roots during the pandemic, with own-rooted vines and cuttings of favorite varietals (and producers) in Jura, Savoie and Galicia.

Chardonnay in the foggy, rolling hills of Cambria; photo via @phelanfarmcambria

2021 Phelan Farm 'Nithya', Carmel Valley, USA $50 $35
A bottling of sourced fruit, 50/50 Cabernet Franc/Malbec from famous Massa Vineyard in Carmel Valley. Energetic, mountain fruit vibes that feel like Savoie transplanted to Cali redwoods and sunshine.

2022 Phelan Farm Pet Nat, San Luis Obispo Coast, USA $55 $40
50/50 Gamay/Pinot Noir from the Phelan Farm vineyard. The Pinot was partially destemmed and macerated overnight, pressed to tank; once dry, the partially fermented Gamay was added. Bottled dry, riddled and disgorged by hand. Wild, juicy and pensive pet-nat.

2021 Phelan Farm Chardonnay, San Luis Obispo Coast, USA $65 $50
Chardonnay from the Phelan Farm vineyard. Direct press, fermented in neutral oak barrel and aged in 500L Stockinger puncheon. No sulfur, fining or filtration. Rugged and refined!

2021 Phelan Farm 'Autrement' San Luis Obispo County, USA $65 $40
50/25/25 Pinot Noir/Gamay/Mondeuse from the Phelan Farm vineyard. Each varietal fermented separately, whole cluster in stainless steel and moved to neutral oak barrel for aging. Blended at bottling, with no sulfur, fining or filtration. A fantastic representation of his Savoie-meets-California style.

SHOP PHELAN FARM

Reviving Forgotten Grapes: SCYTHIAN WINE CO.

On the outskirts of Los Angeles in Cucamonga Valley, these are some of California's oldest grapes – and its most forgotten. We interviewed Raj for the full story last year and can't recommend a read-through enough. The wines are incredibly unique.

Absolutely ancient vines in Lopez Vineyard, Cucamonga; photo via Abe Schoener

2023 Scythian Wine Co. (Rajat Parr) Cucamonga Revolution White, Cucamonga Valley, USA $30
100% Palomino from the insane Lopez Vineyard site, planted in 1912. Whole cluster pressed, fermented and aged in neutral used French oak; no fining or filtration. A truly beautiful but raw Palomino.

2023 Scythian Wine Co. (Rajat Parr) The Scythians Palomino, Cucamonga Valley, USA $40
95% Palomino with 5% other unknown red and white varieties, also from Lopez Vineyard. This has a week of skin contact, done in a mix of Sherry botas (from Ramiro Ibáñez of COTA 45) and old French oak barrels, aged 6 months. Crazy depth from the extra treatment here.

2023 Scythian Wine Co. (Rajat Parr) The Scythians Red, Cucamonga Valley, USA $40
Zinfandel and Alicante Bouschet from the Lopez Vineyard, plus Galleano Vineyard (also planted 1912). Fermented whole cluster in neutral barrel; unfined, unfiltered.

2023 Scythian Wine Co. (Rajat Parr) Misturado de Cucamonga, Cucamonga Valley, USA $35
An ode to Envínate's 'Misturado' bottlings from Ribeira Sacra. Zinfandel, Mission, Grenache and Alicante from Francis Road Vineyard just east of LA in Ontario, CA (planted 1905). Destemmed, fermented in SS, aged in neutral 1200L foudre; no sulfur, unfined, unfiltered.

SHOP SCYTHIAN WINE CO.

The Inspired Négoce: BRIJ WINES

Raj's newest project, offering incredible value. A bit of a playground to make new styles and varietals from fruit grown by like-minded friends across the state; with just as much attention to detail and reverence for place as his other endeavors. Run, don't walk especially if these are new for you!

Source for the Oso Rouge; photo via Rancho Arroyo Grande vineyard

2023 Brij Wines Oso Rouge SLO Coast, California $29
65/35 Mourvedre/Grenache from Rancho Arroyo Grande vineyard. Fermented fully whole cluster in closed top wooden cask, pressed into puncheon and neutral barrel for aging; blended at bottling. Vibrant SLO Coast fruit!

2022 Brij Wines Albariño, Santa Barbara County, USA $35
Albariño from North Canyon in Santa Maria Valley. Direct press and barrel fermented, aged in neutral barrel. Fresh, wild seaside.

2022 Brij Wines Freund Grüner Veltliner, Santa Barbara County $35
Grüner Veltliner from Spear Vineyard in Santa Rita Hills. 24 hours of skin contact, fermented and aged in 500L puncheon. No sulfur, fining or filtration. Alllmost tropical but dialed back with savory, fresh minerality.

SHOP BRIJ WINES