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What is orange wine?

Orange wine has become a bit of an obsession here at Field Recordings (and not just because it’s our brand color). Our signature skin contact orange wine, fittingly named SKINS, unexpectedly became one of our flagship bottles after its first vintage in 2016. Now, you might find dedicated skin contact wine lists at trendy wine bars everywhere. But what’s so special about orange wine, anyway? Let’s get into it.

How is orange wine made?

We make orange wine by letting the grapes ferment on their skins. As our winemaker Andrew Jones says, 85% of a wine’s flavor comes from the outside 15% of the grape, so we source, harvest, and pick fruit based on the quality of their skins. Once those bins get to our cellar, we destem the grapes and allow them to rest on their skins and seeds, anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

Over time, the seeds deliver that lovely amber color, while the skins develop those signature tannins. After enough skin contact, we press to neutral barrels. The result? An end wine that showcases the delicate flavors of white wine, but with more depth, structure, and body.

“Isn’t orange wine just rosé?” you smarty-pants might be wondering. Well, sort of, but not really. Both styles rely on skin contact, but rosé wines are made with red grapes, while orange wines use white grapes. Some of our favorite varietals for orange wine magic are Chenin, Pinot Gris, and Gewurtzaminer. 

Andrew and Tim: Big Skins Guys.

For our BOXIE skin contact blend, we do punchdowns or punchovers every day. (Shown: Austin expertly modeling punchdowns).

What do you pair with orange wine?

Honestly? Anything. That’s something we love about orange wine. It holds up well to lighter dishes like seafood, as well as bolder, heavier options. Andrew’s pairing suggestions include Thai food, tacos, porchetta sandwiches, and charcuterie. 

What makes Field Recordings skin contact wines different?

Andrew likes to say we make orange wine for skeptics. While some orange wines opt for more bitterness and funk, we try to keep our lineup super approachable. Our Skins, Domo Arigato, and Boxie offerings go down easy, with just enough structure and tannin to set them apart. They’re excellent everyday staples that make you feel just a bit cooler. 

And of course, we’re mindful in our winemaking practices. Field Recordings is an OCTO-certified organic winery, and all of our vineyards are sustainable, practicing organic, or certified organic. We source from all around the Central Coast, and about 80% of vineyards use drip irrigation, while 20% are dry farmed. We also use native yeast, no additives, and minimal sulfites. And yes, Field Recordings wines are vegan.

OUR FAVORITE ORANGE WINES.

(we might be biased)

Whether you’re a first-timer or skin contact savante, we think you’ll enjoy them.

  • SKINS

    Our signature SKINS cuvee uses a blend of white grapes, which we destem and ferment on skins for 23 to 46 days before pressing to neutral barrels (aged about 4 months). Our 2023 blend uses 34% Chenin Blanc, 18% Pinot Gris, 12% Colombard, 9% Xarel.lo, 8% Verdelho, 6% Vermentino, 3% Trousseau Gris, 3% Semillon, 3% Gewurztraminer, 2% Riesling, and 2% Malvasia Bianca

    TASTING NOTES
    Fresh apricot, white peach, Haitian orange, honeysuckle, marzipan

    PAIRS WITH
    Bleu cheese, duck sausage, dried fruit

    SHOP

  • DOMO ARIGATO (MR. RAMATO)

    While some of our Pinot Gris goes toward our signature Skins blend, we stash away a special selection of barrels to create Domo Arigato. To make this Ramato-style wine, we keep the grapes on skins for about 3 weeks.

    TASTING NOTES
    Fresh pears along with apricot preserves sprinkled with white pepper

    PAIRS WITH
    Porchetta sandwiches, charcuterie boards and Catalina Island roof top decks

    SHOP

  • BOXIE

    Boxed wine that’s actually good. To make Boxie, we use a blend of 45% Gewurztraminer, 40% Chardonnay, 10% Melon, and 5% Pinot Gris. The grapes go through open top and bin fermentation for 30-60 days of skin contact, pumped over or punched down daily. 

    TASTES LIKE
    Trolli Peach Rings, cantaloupe, apricots, hint of green tea and white pepper

    PAIRS WITH
    Beach days. hotdogs, chips, dips or maybe just a big sack of Taco Bell you grabbed on your way out

    SHOP
SHOP ALL ORANGE WINE