Since its founding in 2005, Carica Wines has stayed true to its vision.  Producing small lots of  single-vineyard designated wines, Carica makes Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc. In addition, Carica Wines produces a Rhône-style red blend, combining  Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.  Winemaker Charlie Dollbaum has also added a Rosé to the Carica portfolio.

The name Carica, and the fig leaf on the label, are inspired by the fig trees (botanical name Ficus carica) that still flourish on the hillsides of Sonoma vineyards.  Together, the grapevine and fig tree symbolize peace and prosperity.

Beginning in 2010, Carica Wines’ original winemaker and founding owner, Charlie Dollbaum, has taken over every aspect of the winery.  Charlie has been Carica Wines’ “hands on” winemaker from the beginning.  He monitors the grapes all summer, checking ripeness and sugar content obsessively as harvest time nears.  He is in the field before sunrise when crews hand-harvest the grape clusters.  Then he performs every step of the winemaking process, from crush through fermentation, choosing the kinds of barrels for each varietal, and designing the specific aging program for each wine.  When the time comes to bottle a particular vintage, Charlie is there.

Making Wine at an Urban Space

In 2009, Carica Wines moved its winemaking operations to an urban winery space in Alameda, California.  Located across the Bay from San Francisco, the winery is home to several independent wineries who all are part of the burgeoning urban wine scene.

The winery space provides ample room for crushing grapes, fermenting juice in open-top fermentors, using temperature-controlled tanks to ferment white wine, and aging wine in barrels. The space was formerly a massive airplane hangar on the Alameda Naval Air Station, and it has been repurposed by Rockwall Wine Company to take advantage of an urban setting close to premiere wine grape growing areas.

In addition, the winery features a new Tasting Room that offers samples of Carica wines, as well as those of the other wineries.  You can also purchase and pickup Carica wines at the Tasting Room.  Visitors can relax on spacious decks with astonishing views of San Francisco Bay, and even enjoy lunch with a glass of wine.