West Sonoma Coast – an introduction

The West Sonoma Coast is not an official appellation, but is a region recognised by vintners throughout the area for the quality and refinement of the wines it produces. ‘These wines', Ehren Jordan of Failla tells me, ‘defy most people’s expectations of what California can do.’ We’re standing in the Failla cellar tasting through his many cuvées from the West Sonoma Coast, discussing wines of the region generally.

It is well understood that California can offer big flavour. At its best, Jordan points out, West Sonoma...