Shockingly Good New Discovery: Common Thread Wines from Carmel Valley
Rarely have I ever tasted through a line up of wines from a producer I have never heard of before and been so flat-out stunned. My first thought was, “How have I never heard of or tasted these wines before!?” It’s not that I expect to know every producer in the market, but I do pride myself in keeping my finger on the pulse of what’s going on and who is making exciting wines—so when a new (to me) winery pops up, in a region so near and dear to my heart, and blows me away… it’s a (happy) surprise. That’s exactly what happened recently with my first exposure to Common Thread wines.
This tiny winery based in Carmel Valley focuses on locally sourced fruit and small-lot, minimal-intervention winemaking. Most wines are less than 200 cases total production. The wines could certainly be included in the “natural” wine camp, but are very pure, precise, and not flawed like so many others that make this genre a little perilous. Many of the wines are sourced from some of the very best vineyards in the region. All the wines are extremely well priced given the quality and pedigree of fruit. The wines clearly have a “common thread” of purity, varietal expression, and terroir-driven clarity running through them; however the name Common Thread has an even deeper meaning to owner/winemaker David Baird. Already an established winemaker in his own right making wines for several well known Paso Robles/Central Coast wineries, in 2021 David established his own personal brand. The name Common Thread is in reference to a physical trait he shares with his two young children, a single palmar crease on their hands. While not always a marker, this single palmar crease has been linked to some genetic conditions including Downs syndrome. In 2016 David’s son Colin was diagnosed with Downs syndrome and thus a portion of proceeds from all his wines goes to support several foundations that focus on making the world a better place and more inclusive for individuals like Colin.
The Common Thread wines have been the single biggest revelation to me thus far in 2025, and I’m thrilled to add them to our selections.
2023 Common Thread "Massa Vineyard" Carmel Valley Chenin Blanc $24.95 92WE From a remote yet increasingly renowned historic vineyard in Carmel Valley. Massa Vineyard, previously known as Derney Vineyard was planted in the late 1960s/early 1970s. The vines sit at 1,200-to-1,500-foot elevation on decomposed granite and calcareous shale soils. The vineyard has been has been farmed organically for decades and is now certified as such. For this wine David employs a two-day soak on the skins to extract flavor and texture from the fruit before pressing. As with all of the wines, the ferment is completed using only ambient yeasts. The wine ferments and ages in neutral barrels for nine months. Just two barrels, 48 cases were made. Classic aromas and flavors of waxy lemon, white flowers, lanolin, river stone minerals, and hints of rye crust lees flavors. Very vibrant and refreshing with a real sense of place.
2023 Common Thread "Escolle Vineyard" Santa Lucia Highlands Gamay $29.95 92WE From an amazing vineyard in the coolest end of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Escolle Vineyard is the estate property of the Caraccioli Family known for their incredible sparkling wines. While the vast majority of the vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, they also have six acres of Gamay Noir. This varietal excels in the cool climate and decomposed granite/chualar sandy loam soils. The wine is handled entirely whole-cluster with gentle foot treading to crush the fruit. Native ferment and then basket pressing to neutral oak for ten months aging. Bottled unfined, unfiltered. Spicy dark berry fruits, wild notes of coastal chaparral, hints of amaro-like herbs; softer, redder fruits emerge with air. Lovely freshness and lift. So good!
2023 Common Thread "Massa Vineyard" Carmel Valley Cabernet Franc $29.95 94WE Once again from old vines at Massa Vineyard growing in very rugged, decomposed granite soils. This is one of the best domestic expressions of Cab Franc that I’ve ever come across. At only 12.6% ABV this wine definitely captures a fresher, more savory style of Cab Franc quite contrasting to those found in Napa Valley, for example. Half of the fruit is also fermented whole cluster, further adding to the aromatic lift of the wine. Camphor, blackcurrant, graphite, hints of wintergreen, bramble, and bracken. Literally like tasting an English hedgerow with wild berries and undergrowth intertwined. Elegant and fine grained on the palate but with enough grip to be pretty versatile with food. Such a complex and compelling wine.
2023 Common Thread "Tasona Nafare Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah $29.95 95WE This bottling totally blew my socks off. Absolute benchmark cool-climate Syrah. From a small organically farmed vineyard I’ve never heard of that sits up high in the mountains above Ridge Vineyard’s Monte Bello estate. The fruit is native-yeast fermented using 100% whole clusters. Basket pressed to neutral oak for ten months. Absolutely classic notes of dried violets, cracked black pepper, cured meat, smoky spices, earthy dark fruit. Floral and aromatic, but earthy and brooding all at once. Really amazing wine that evolves in the glass for hours and will age beautifully. Very impressive.