I have heard that Touriga Nacional is a grape that is being planted in some regions in California to anticipate climate change. Looking around I have not seen many producers making Touriga wines so I thought I would ask for some recommendations to check out. I am aware of the SQN/Kyn wines but they are way out of my price range. I look forward to responses. Thanks!!
Great suggestion Mark. FWIW you probably know that Quinta Cruz is a label for Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard for their Spanish and Portuguese
varieties.
Sean: since you are in San Jose it is an easy drive to SCMV tasting room in Santa Cruz or you can order straight from them https://www.santacruzmountainvineyard.com/ Very under rated winery.
Highly recommend the excursion. Not only is there an amazing selection of Southern European grapes under the Quinta Cruz label (try the Albariño!), it is also a winery with tremendous influence on Santa Cruz Mountains AVA history. As added bonus you can stop by Silver Mountain, Equinox and a couple others in the immediate vicinity, and get some charcuterie from El Salsichero to go with it.
Next of Kyn (a la Sine Qua Non) started making a Touriga in 2015 and putting a bottle in their box set. Last year they did a separate box set of Touriga and it sold out immediately (to my chagrin). Well-reviewed and high CT scores, as you would expect, but $$$$.
Having never tasted non-Portuguese Touriga Nacional, this is a really interesting thread to me. I was aware of there being several Australian examples, but had no idea there were already so many California ones as well.
On a side note: @Wes Barton and I made a 2019 100% Whole Cluster Touriga Nacional and bottled it last fall. Would be glad to share some with locals anytime. We also made a 2019 Tinta Cao from the same vineyard.