County Line Vineyards is a winery based in California’s North Coast, specifically sourcing grapes from Mendocino and Sonoma Counties. It’s a companion label to Radio-Coteau, established in 2003, led by winemaker Eric Sussman. The winery focuses on handcrafted, food-friendly wines using organic and holistic farming practices to promote biodiversity. Their name originates from the pursuit of cool-climate vineyard sites across the Mendocino-Sonoma county line.

• Wines: Initially focused on dry Rosé from whole-cluster pressed Champagne clone Pinot Noir, they now produce Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, and unique offerings like skin-fermented white wines (e.g., Corduroy, a Riesling-Chardonnay blend) and pétillant naturel (Pet Nat) Rosé. Wines are crafted using traditional techniques, aged in neutral French oak or stainless steel, and often bottled unfiltered with no added sulfites. They aim to capture the essence of cool-climate appellations like Anderson Valley, Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and the broader North Coast.

• Notable Wines:

  • 2023 Rosé: Features white peach, jasmine, and lime leaf aromas with crisp acidity and flinty minerality, ideal for pairing with dishes like strawberry-spinach salad or grilled red snapper.

  • 2023 Chardonnay: Offers apple blossom, lemon thyme, and guava notes, aged in stainless steel and neutral oak, pairing well with seared scallops or pasta alfredo.

  • Corduroy 2020: An orange wine (Riesling-Chardonnay co-fermentation) with no added sulfites, recommended with cheese and charcuterie.

  • Beads 2021 Pet Nat: A sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé with raspberry and peach cobbler flavors, bone-dry, and versatile as an aperitif or with hearty dishes.

• Cider: Under the Orfin Lotts series, they produce native-fermented, unfiltered ciders from organic, dry-farmed Sonoma County apples, often with seasonal co-ferments and infusions.

• Philosophy: Committed to organic farming, their labels feature artwork of animals from their farm (e.g., roosters, horses), symbolizing their role in maintaining a healthy agroecosystem. Artists like Molly Kars, Christopher Hataway, and Bonfed contribute to the label designs