We’re not ones for extremes. Just as we don’t support excessive consumption of anything (tacos included, even if they’re SO good), neither can we get behind teetotaling – especially if it’s only for one month (Dry January, we’re looking at you).
What we can get behind is mindfulness, savoring a glass of wine with a meal or with friends – or both. Something else we can get behind – low-alcohol (or low-ABV) wines.
What are Low-ABV Wines?
A low-alcohol wine is defined by its ABV (Alcohol by Volume), typically falling between 0.5% and 11%. In contrast, a standard bottle of wine usually ranges from 12.5% to 14.5%. The El Dorado AVA is known for bold wines that often sit on the higher range, but a new movement is afoot, and it’s blending our region’s mountain-grown terroir with lower ABV.
Paul Bush of Madrona Vineyards is a big fan. “Maggie [my wife] and I have found through our travels that lower alcohol wines fit in nicely to our lifestyle. So much so that Maggie started a line of low-ABV wines, which we call the ‘M-Series’, focusing on Cabernet Franc and Riesling. I think one gets a better expression of the region and complexity of the variety at the lower alcohols, but personally, as we are older now, we sleep better at night!”
El Dorado’s Low-Alcohol Wines
Several El Dorado County wineries feature low-ABV options, including:
Madrona Vineyards: An early adopter of low-ABV wines, its M-Series focuses on Cabernet Franc and Riesling in a lower alcohol format. Currently, the ‘M-Series’ Riesling is sold out, though the 2025 vintage will be available in mid-spring. They also offer a 2024 Moscato Giallo (Yellow Muscat) called Fiore, which is at 8.5% alcohol.
Boeger Winery: It will release a new red wine next month that is 9.7% alcohol. Vino Novello, made with the Refosco grape, is harvested early and made in a more Beaujolais-style: chillable, bright red fruit flavors, acidic and refreshing!
Starfield Vineyards has introduced three low-alcohol wines: a red, a white, and a rosé. Each has only 8% alcohol and 80 calories per serving.
Narrow Gate Vineyards: Several upcoming wines illustrate their move to lower ABV options. Their 2022 vintage will feature a Grenache, Dunamis Block Estate, Biodynamic grown (11% alcohol), a Mourvèdre, Estate Biodynamic grown (11.4% alcohol), and PRIMO, Estate Biodynamic grown (Primitivo, Mourvèdre) at 11% alcohol.
Cedarville Vineyard offers an estate-bottled Mourvedre at 11.7%, which tastes even better chilled.
As Frank Hildebrand of Narrow Gate Vineyards explains, “Lower-alcohol wines do not mean less flavor—quite the opposite. Wines with lower alcohol by volume (ABV) tend to be fresher, brighter, and often more age-worthy than their higher-alcohol counterparts. Lively flavors such as cranberry, red cherry, and high-toned raspberry replace heavier notes of prunes, overripe blackberries, and sugary, flat finishes.”
“The naturally higher acidity preserved in lower-alcohol wines reduces the need for corrective measures such as added water, tartaric acid, or other chemical adjustments, which often lead to additional filtration and further manipulation. These interventions are frequently required to compensate for late-harvest decisions that drive alcohol levels higher. The result is wine with immediate drinkability, clarity of expression, and balance—yet with then structure to continue evolving gracefully over time, unlike many of its boozier counterparts.”
Lower alcohol wines are a terrific way to enjoy the flavors of El Dorado’s mountain-grown terroir during Damp January and beyond.
