Page 4 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - June 15, 2022

4 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK JUNE 15, 2022
Within the Si- erra Foothills (between Sac- ramento and Lake Tahoe) Amador County sits Andis Wines, a spectacular winery that distributes high-quality, affordable bottles to more than 30 states — including Hawai‘i. (To learn about the upcoming pickup event, see story on page 5.)
kismet by the couple. “What we didn’t know at the time, but have since found out, is that it’s the per- fect region to grow all kinds
Andis Wines makes sure there’s something for every- one—aslongasoneis21 or older, of course — and has its main Andis label for more sophisticated palates that can distinguish indi- vidual varietals, as well as Painted Fields, which fea- tures a lot of blends with wider appeal.
his Semillon fruit. Instead, Andis Wines partnered with him and produced a stellar Semillon that has notes of citrus and oak and a touch of lemon meringue.
the wine and bottle it in December, how long will it take us to sell it?’ He said probably three years. We sold out in six months,” recalls Friedlander. “Now, we’ ve been able to pay more for his fruit, and his name is on the bottle.”
At the helm is the hus- band-and-wife team of Andy Friedlander and Ja- nis Akuna, whose love of wine and business acumen have uncorked a bouquet of sweet success.
of grapes,” says Akuna. She adds that grape vari- etals grow in certain regions better than others. Close to the coast, the wet area of Napa, for example, pro- duces mainly cabernets and chardonnays. But in the dri- er, hotter area of the Sierra Foothills, the climate mim- ics that of Southern France, Northern Spain and Italy. This means more variety — way more. For whites, there are Semillon, Vermintino and Sauvignon Blanc, and reds range from Barbera and Grenache to even some Cabernet. And that’s just
In addition to the flavor and body of the wines are touching stories showcas- ing the thought that goes into making each bottle. As one example, Andis Wines’ “Semillon, Bill Dillian Vineyard” tells the story of its namesake, Dillian, who was about to start the painstaking work of tear- ing up his vineyard to plant something more profitable because he couldn’t sell
“We do things that are not necessarily to make money, but sometimes it’s the right thing to do,” says Friedlander. “We saved a vineyard that was planted in 1974, and it’s still producing beautiful fruit today. Those are the kinds of stories I love.”
According to Friedland- er, this particular Semillon pairs well with fish, eggs, quiches or chicken with a white sauce — and those wanting to try a sample can head to Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Waterfront Pla- za to try it. (The Honolulu eatery also features some of Andis Wines’ reds, which pair well with steaks, and Fujioka’s Wine in Market City also carries Andis.)
Andis Wines makes 12- 14 different varieties a year — usually four white and seven to eight reds — and its location in the Sierra Foothills is often viewed as
That’s not to say that the “Semillon, Bill Dillian Vineyard” isn’t successful, because it truly is. It was listed as one of the 20 hid- den wine gems in the world, and for good reason.
touching the surface.
“I asked one of our team members, ‘Once we make
Then, there’s the “Paint-
SEE PAGE 5
Making great
vino is the goal
of winemaking couple Andy Friedlander and Janis Akuna, whose company, Andis Wines, is toasting Hawai‘i residents with a special membership offer.
Story by
Nicole Monton
Photos courtesy
Andis Wines
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