Old World Winery Single Cloud 2024

Old World Winery is one of the more deeply rooted natural wine projects in Sonoma County. Winemaker Darek Trowbridge comes from a long farming lineage tied to the Russian River Valley and works primarily with old organic and biodynamic vineyards, many planted generations ago. His approach centers on low intervention farming and cellar work, relying on native yeast, old field blends, and minimal sulfur to produce wines that feel alive and site driven rather than polished or engineered.

Single Cloud 2024 continues that philosophy through a true California field blend made from sauvignon blanc, semillon, viognier, grenache, mourvèdre, syrah, petite sirah, and cabernet franc. The wine pulls together both red and white varieties, creating something intentionally hard to categorize. Rather than aiming for varietal definition, Trowbridge builds the wine around energy, texture, and drinkability. The fruit comes from organically farmed Sonoma vineyards, many with very old vines that naturally produce concentrated yet balanced fruit.

In the cellar, the wine is fermented with native yeast and handled with a notably light touch. Nothing is added beyond a small amount of sulfur, and the goal is to preserve the character of the vineyard rather than shape the wine through manipulation or heavy extraction. The blend’s inclusion of both white and red grapes gives it a lifted aromatic quality and a softer, juicy structure that works particularly well with a slight chill.

The 2024 is bright, savory, and wildly expressive. Wild cherry, tart blackberry, clove, star anise, dried herbs, and a subtle olive like savoriness all move through the wine. Despite the range of grapes involved, it feels surprisingly cohesive, landing somewhere between a chillable red and a darker rosé with gentle grip and vibrant acidity. It is the kind of wine that feels equally at home with barbecue, pizza, or simply opened on its own slightly cool.