2023 Native Hands 'Sand Painting Turohhayish' Chardonnay San Luis Obispo Coast USA

Winemaker Notes

This project is built on a historical foundation. Through the careful
research of historians and scholars, it is now known that the first vines in
California were planted by the Juaneño (Acjachemen) Indians at Mission
San Juan Capistrano in 1779. It is also recognized that the Mission Indians
of each of the 21 Missions were the first winemakers in Alta California.
Co-founder Chris Lobo is a 9th-generation Juaneño Mission Indian who
traces his lineage back to 1747 within the aboriginal territory. With this
deep connection, we honor the first winemakers of Alta California— the
Mission Indians and their NATIVE HANDS.

CHARDONNAY / SAND PAINTING TURÓHHAYISH
Sand paintings served as intricate and symbolic depictions of the
natural world, spiritual concepts, and human symbolism in
Southern California. These paintings were foundational
communication tools used during both boys' initiation and girls'
ceremonies among many of the Mission Tribes in California.
The depictions had particular religious functions, embodying
spiritual aspects of human personality and the broader astronomical
view of the world and its relationships. Key physical elements of the
paintings include rings that represent the Milky Way, the Sky, and
Spirit, symbolizing the world itself.

Astronomical knowledge, as conveyed through these paintings, was
a blend of beliefs rooted in the observation of phenomena and
mythological explanations for their origins. This communication
instrument is thought to be thousands of years old.