winery

Vinca Minor

United States

Philosophy

Minimal intervention winemaking with indigenous yeast, unfined and unfiltered, working with old-vine coastal sites across Mendocino and Sonoma. The house emphasizes field-blend Carignane from historic vineyards, dry-farmed and hand-harvested, pressed whole-cluster into neutral French oak.

Reputation

Vinca Minor was founded in 2013 by Jason Charles, a photographer-turned-winemaker whose early career spanned Barcelona, Bordeaux, and New York City restaurant kitchens before settling in Northern California. The house works exclusively with certified organic historic vineyards and multigenerational grower families across Mendocino and Sonoma, partnering with producers such as Pete Johnson, a sixth-generation farmer.

AllocationLocation conflict: sources describe as both 'Sonoma-based' and 'Berkeley-based' (Berkeley is the tasting room/office location; winemaking draws from Sonoma and Mendocino vineyards). Organic farming confirmed through partner vineyards (e.g., Pete Johnson), but no independent organic certification found for Vinca Minor itself as producer—listed as 'organic practicing' pending verification. Production volume estimated at ~1000 bottles annually based on 'small allocation' language across retailers. UK importer confirmed as Nekter Wines; US distribution appears through natural wine venues (MYSA, Raw Wine fairs, retail) but no single exclusive US importer identified. Appellation unclear—producer works with multi-source coastal fruit across regions rather than single AVA. No Japan importer found. Vinca Minor is Latin for the periwinkle flower (per Charles interview); name chosen for its abstraction and flexibility. | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'MYSA Natural Wine (US distributor)'

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