Stéphane Derenoncourt, the St-Émilion-based, globe-trotting winemaking consultant, has finally landed in California, not only as an advisor to Francis Ford Coppola at Rubicon Estate in Napa Valley, but also with his own brand, Derenoncourt California.
Derenoncourt, who consults for more than 60 properties in seven countries, began working with Rubicon in 2009, yet laid the foundation for his own California label in 2006, purchasing grapes from vineyards in Napa Valley and Lake County. The resulting five wines were released earlier this year.
The wines are produced in small quantities, between 100 and 600 cases each, and range in price...