Forlorn Hope "Queen of the Sierra" Coferment, Sierra Foothills, California 2025
Forlorn Hope "Queen of the Sierra" Coferment, Sierra Foothills, California 2025
Forlorn Hope "Queen of the Sierra" Coferment, Sierra Foothills, California 2025
Forlorn Hope "Queen of the Sierra" Coferment, Sierra Foothills, California 2025

Forlorn Hope "Queen of the Sierra" Coferment, Sierra Foothills, California 2025

Forlorn Hope
Regular price $2800
Regular price Sale price $2800
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What happens when you ferment red and white grapes together? At Rorick Heritage Vineyard, this co-ferment answers that question by pairing bright red fruit with the aromatic lift of white varieties. The result lands somewhere between red, white, and rosé — lighter and more chillable than a typical red thanks to gentler tannins, but with more flavor and grip than a rosé thanks to extended skin contact, all tied together by the savory, mineral tang of the estate's limestone soils and cool nights.
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Tasting Notes

"Cranberry, black cherry, and red plum mingle with candied blackberry and a lift of flowers, grounded by earthy undertones. Light-bodied and dry, with soft tannins and lively acidity carrying through a juicy, refreshing finish." — Harvest Wine Shop

Details

Variety: Albariño, Tempranillo, Barbera, Vermentino, Chenin Blanc, Pineau d'Aunis, Trousseau, Chardonnay, Zinfandel & Verdelho Co-Ferment
Region: Sierra Foothills, CA (Rorick Heritage Vineyard, Calaveras County)
Farming Practice: Organic; Native Yeast Fermentation; Unfined & Unfiltered
Volume: 750ml

Must be 21+ to order wine.
About Queen of the Sierra

Queen of the Sierra is Forlorn Hope's amber wine — what most people call "orange wine" — and one of the clearest expressions of a single, singular vineyard you'll find in California. Made from four white grapes fermented together on their skins, it's a wine built entirely around honesty of place: no shortcuts, no additions, nothing to hide behind.

Meet Matthew Rorick, the Winemaker Behind Forlorn Hope

Forlorn Hope is a one-man operation run by winemaker Matthew Rorick, known for working with grape varieties most California producers overlook — Verdelho, Albariño, Ribolla Gialla, and Trousseau among them. Rather than chasing a house style, Rorick lets each vineyard and vintage speak for itself, tending every fermentation by hand and guiding each wine through to bottle without adjusting or manipulating what the vines produced. That minimalist, site-first philosophy has made him one of the more closely watched figures in California's natural wine movement.

Rorick Heritage Vineyard: Farming High in the Sierra Foothills

Every bottle of Queen of the Sierra comes from Rorick Heritage Vineyard, a 75-acre estate near Murphys in Calaveras County that Matthew Rorick purchased in 2013 and has farmed organically ever since. The vines sit at roughly 2,000 feet of elevation on a layer of schist over dolomite-rich limestone — a soil profile that gives the fruit its distinct mineral backbone and lends the finished wine real textural depth.

Inside the Bottle: What Makes It an Amber Wine

Queen of the Sierra blends Verdelho, Albariño, Muscat, and Chardonnay, all hand-picked and fermented together in open-top vessels with native yeast. The wine spends extended time on its skins, developing the color, grip, and complexity that define the amber wine category. True to Forlorn Hope's ethos, nothing is added along the way — no cultured yeast, no acid, no enzymes, no water — beyond the minimal amount of sulfur needed to keep the wine stable. No new oak is used, and the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, letting the vineyard come through untouched. The result is a richly aromatic glass of honey, brown spice, dried apricot, pear skin, tropical citrus, baked apple, caramel, and peach.

Why Harvest Wine Shop Carries Queen of the Sierra

We look for wines that couldn't have come from anywhere else, and Queen of the Sierra is exactly that: organic farming, native fermentation, and a single high-elevation vineyard, bottled without interference. If you're drawn to skin-contact whites, low-intervention winemaking, or simply want to taste what the Sierra Foothills can really do, this is a bottle worth seeking out.
Shipping information

All orders are shipped/delivered, no pickup options. Please track your package using UPS tracking link — someone 21 or older must accept the package. UPS will attempt twice, then will return to us.

To avoid a missed package, you are more than welcome to ship to your local UPS Access Point so that you do not need to sign for the package at home.

Find your UPS Access Point here.
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FAQs

What is natural wine?

Natural wine is made with minimal intervention both in the vineyard and the cellar. That means no synthetic pesticides, no added chemicals, and little to no added sulfites (30 ppm at bottling is the norm). Unlike conventional wines, natural wines are fermented with wild yeasts and showcase the true expression of the grapes and terroir. (If the winemaker is very talented and diligent in the winery...)
How is natural wine different from organic or biodynamic wine?

Organic wines are made from organically grown grapes, but can still have additives and excessive sulfites.

Biodynamic wines follow spiritual and lunar farming practices inspired by Rudolf Steiner. Biodynamic wines are typically organically farmed too.

Natural wines are usually from an organic and/or biodynamic source (although not always certified) and they use spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeast and avoiding additives, stabilizers, or heavy filtration.
Is natural wine better for you?

Natural wines are often perceived as “cleaner” because they contain fewer additives, sulfites, and chemicals. While there’s no clinical evidence they result in less severe hangovers, many people find them easier to process. Remember, the wine industry is not required to disclose additives in wine, so it's really scouts honor here. Corporate wineries tend to [allegedly and likely] add a ton of chemicals to their wine to cut costs and make a product taste the same year after year. Wineries are legally allowed to add 70+ additives to a wine without disclosing any of them. So...natural, minimal intervention, and classically made wines are the way to go!
Does natural wine contain sulfites?

Most wines naturally contain trace sulfites due to fermentation. However, natural wines typically have minimal to no added sulfites, staying well below the levels found in commercial wines. Wines in general have less sulfites than your typical dried fruits or even kale and spinach you buy from the store. The thought that sulfites in wine is what give you headaches is simply a myth.

How should I store my wine?

Ideally in a cool, dark place between 50–55°F (10–13°C). Because many classically made wines (what you'll primarily find at Harvest Wine Shop) are unfiltered and lightly sulfited, they’re more sensitive to temperature fluctuations and sunlight, so be sure to keep them cool. Also, some wines are meant to be consumed within a year from the year on the bottle, while others can age for 20 years! It all depends on the structure of the wine (Acid, sugar, alcohol, and tannin).
Where can I buy natural wine online?

You can explore our curated collection of natural wines from small, independent producers around the world — all available for nationwide shipping.
How do you choose the wines you sell?

We partner directly with small-scale, family owned winemakers who tend to farm organically, and biodynamically and make wine the way it's always been made (before corporate wine came to be). Every bottle in our collection reflects transparency, sustainability, and true craftsmanship.
What temperature should I serve wine at?

In general:

Chillable Reds: 52–58°F (11–14°C)
Full-Bodied Reds: 60–65°F (16–18°C)
Crisp Whites: 45–50°F (7–10°C)
Full-Bodied Whites: 50–55°F (10–13°C)
Orange Wines: 50–55°F (10–13°C)
Rosé: 45–50°F (7–10°C)
Sparkling Wines: 40–45°F (4–7°C)

Serving wine at the right temperature helps unlock its aromas and balance.
How is wine shipped safely?

We use temperature-controlled packaging and shock-resistant materials to protect bottles in transit. During hot or cold seasons, we may delay shipping to ensure your wine arrives in perfect condition.
What states can you ship to?

We ship to California, Oregon, New Mexico, Wyoming, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Florida, and Nebraska.

Can I pick up my wine locally?

Yes! If you’re near our shop, choose local pickup at checkout. Your order will be ready within 24 hours, and we’ll notify you via email or text.
Do I need to be home to accept delivery of my wine?

Yes. Someone 21 years old or older will need to sign for your wine upon delivery. We ship via UPS. Please check your tracking link to ensure you will be home. Or, you can arrange for your package to be shipped to your closest UPS Store location so you do not have to worry about missing your wine shipment. Find your UPS Access Point here.
Do you offer wine subscriptions or memberships?

Yes! Check out our Wine Subscription Page for curated monthly selections, exclusive discounts, and first access to limited releases.