Terra Sonoma began with the idea of using the green grapes that are thinned from the vineyard in mid-summer. Thinning removes some fruit to concentrate the ripening flavors of the remaining fruit. The green grape bunches that are cut off are pressed to make this distinctive verjus.
VerJus literally means “green juice” in French, and its use dates back to the 14th century when it was very popular throughout Europe. Terra Sonoma VerJus adds zest to salads, marinades and sauces, and unlike vinegars—which have three times the acidity—VerJus compliments wine.
For Karin Warnelius and Justin Miller, a husband and wife team, Terra Sonoma expresses the ideals they both grew up with: sustainability and recycling - composting and putting back into the land what is taken from it.
In 1974, Karin immigrated to the United States from Björsatar, Sweden as a young girl with her family of six. Initially her parents found work in Lodi, California picking peaches and plums. A year later the family relocated to Sonoma County to a grape ranch in the Alexander Valley owned by an American man and his Swedish wife, the Miller’s - Justin’s family.
Within a year, Karin’s family was able to purchase their own ranch, which had 65-year-old vines on it, a field blend as the Italians called it. When asked what Karin’s Swedish father knew about growing grapes, Karin laughs, “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. But he loved wine. In Sweden they make wine out of all sorts of fruits, and he had done that for years. He made friends with our Alexander Valley neighbors, and we would all make wine together.“ She remembers the fun of stomping grapes with her siblings to create the family’s first wine in the late 70s.
Justin, a fifth-generation Californian, was born and raised on his family’s ranch. At the age of 18, he took over farming the vineyard his father planted in 1969. He describes his philosophy of sustainable farming, “Soil is the basis for all our foods; healthy life develops from healthy soils where the naturally occurring harmony has been protected. I’m in the vineyard everyday, observing what’s happening. More important than any textbook, this helps me understand the soil, the insects that live in the area, the changes in weather. We choose our cover crops from native plants that would naturally grow on our land. And we make sure the vines carry a crop load that is good for the vines and produces the best quality fruit,” he explains. “You have to start with great fruit to make a great bottle of wine – or verjus.”
Justin and Karin live simply. Good food and wine are an integral part of their lives, in balance with their work. Karin says, “We don’t like to throw away the fruits of our labor, and this is why Terra Sonoma VerJus came to be. Justin’s family has taken care of this land, and we want to take care of it for the generations that will follow us. We’re proud to be able to make a product that is both consistent with our values and a wonderful accompaniment to any meal.”
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