Introduction: Field Recordings is the Paso Robles project of winemaker Andrew Jones, built on a philosophy of seeking out overlooked, underappreciated vineyard sites and obscure varieties across California's Central Coast and beyond. The winery has become one of California's leading voices in skin-contact winemaking — and Skins is their flagship expression of the style. Jones describes it deliberately as a "gateway orange wine," designed for the drinking experience rather than the tasting experience, and the blend shifts meaningfully each vintage as Jones draws from as many as a dozen different white grape varieties sourced from organic and sustainable growers across the Central Coast. The 2024 is the most variety-forward blend to date — twelve grapes, led by Chenin Blanc.

Terroir: Skins is not a single-vineyard or single-appellation wine — it is a deliberate composite of organic and sustainably farmed Central Coast sites, including Martin Brothers, Cat Canyon, Creston Ridge, Millhouse, Shell Creek, and others spread across the Paso Robles region and beyond. The Central Coast's warm, sun-drenched days, cool Pacific-influenced nights, and diverse soil types — from limestone-laden hillsides to sandy loams — provide the tonal range that Jones intentionally blends across. OCTO-certified organic winery practices govern the cellar, and all vineyard sources meet organic or sustainable standards.

Appearance: Amber-gold with copper highlights — warm and glowing in the glass, the color of sun-steeped tea, immediately signaling skin contact without veering into the deep amber of more extracted examples.

Nose: Vivid and inviting — blood orange, sun tea, dried apricot, and honeysuckle open the bouquet alongside maraschino cherry and a hint of tangerine. There is a concentration and sweetness to the aromatics that is deceptive given the wine's dryness on the palate, and a subtle floral lift that keeps the nose fresh and engaging rather than oxidative or funky.

Palate: Fresh, textured, and surprisingly versatile — tangerine, melon, orange peel, and apricot flavors carry through a palate with gentle tannic grip and bright acidity that keeps the wine lively and food-friendly throughout. The skin maceration of 23 to 46 days per variety delivers structure and body without bitterness, and the neutral barrel aging adds texture without imposing oak character. True to Jones's stated intention, this is a wine that drinks easily across a full table without demanding specialist appreciation.

Finish: Medium length, clean, and mineral, with orange peel bitterness and a lingering iron and citrus quality that adds precision to the close. Fresh and mouthwatering to the end.

Food Pairings:
🥩 Meat: Korean fried chicken, porchetta sandwich, or duck sausage with stone fruit chutney
🥦 Vegetarian: Thai green curry, Moroccan tagine with roasted vegetables, or sushi and rice dishes
🧀 Charcuterie Board: Aged Comté, bleu cheese, dried apricot, Marcona almonds, and soppressata

Overall Impression: The 2024 Field Recordings Skins delivers on its gateway promise without condescending to the style — this is an approachable, genuinely well-made orange wine that earns its place on any table. It is one of California's best arguments for skin-contact white wine as an everyday category rather than a specialist occasion. Serve slightly chilled at 52–56°F; drink now through 2026.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 12.3%
Farming Practices: OCTO-certified organic winery; all source vineyards certified organic or practicing sustainable farming; native yeast fermentation; minimal SO2 additions post-fermentation and at bottling; filtered for retail stability
Producer Name: Field Recordings (Andrew Jones)
Old World / New World: New World
Country of Origin: United States
Region: Central Coast, California — multi-vineyard blend across Paso Robles and surrounding areas
Grape Varietals: Chenin Blanc 32%, Malvasia Bianca 14%, Pinot Gris 12%, Pinot Blanc 11%, Vermentino 10%, Trousseau Gris 8%, Albariño 4%, Sémillon 3%, Verdelho 2%, Picpoul Blanc 2%, Colombard 1%, Gros Manseng 1%
Vintage: 2024
Wine Style: Dry Orange (Skin-Contact White) — Light-to-medium-bodied, textured, and aromatic, with a citrus-driven profile shaped by extended multi-variety skin maceration and neutral barrel aging. Approachable and food-versatile; built for immediate enjoyment.
White Winemaking Techniques: White grapes destemmed and fermented on skins for 23–46 days (varies by variety) with native yeasts; tanks sealed with CO2 during extended maceration; pressed to neutral French oak and acacia barrels; aged approximately 6 months; blended, filtered, and bottled with minimal SO2; unfined
Pack Size: 750ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Screwcap