Hog Island Oyster Co. and Winery Team Up to Save White Abalone

Twenty-five percent of proceeds from new wine will go toward restoring endangered native mollusk

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Hog Island Oyster Co. and McPrice Myers Wines have partnered to release a new wine called Sea Legacy, a 100% clairette blanche sourced from Paso Robles. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from the wine will go toward the White Abalone Project's efforts to restore the functionally extinct native white abalone to the California coast.

Why it matters

White abalone were once abundant along the California coast but were devastated by overfishing and their naturally slow reproduction rate. Listed as endangered in 2001, they are now considered functionally extinct in the wild. As foundational grazers that help maintain kelp forests, their loss has had cascading impacts on marine ecosystems.

The details

The clairette blanche in Sea Legacy might already be familiar to some Marin residents, as the grapes from this vineyard had been previously used to make McPrice Myers Wines' Arrived!, which had long been featured on Larkspur restaurant Farmshop's wine list. Sea Legacy is composed of 100% clairette blanche from the Paper Street Vineyard. Clairette blanche is also known as the primary grape used to make Noilly Prat's iconic 'dry' French vermouth.

  • Sea Legacy was released in March 2026.

The players

Hog Island Oyster Co.

A sustainable oyster farming company with locations throughout Marin, Sonoma, Napa and San Francisco counties.

McPrice Myers Wines

A Paso Robles-based winery focused on sustainability and organic farming practices.

White Abalone Project

A conservation effort working to breed and restore sustainable wild populations of the endangered white abalone.

Patrick McNeil

The former proprietor of Wines that Deliver and now the director of sales for McPrice Myers Wines.

Saul Ranella

The beverage director for Hog Island Oyster Co.

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What they’re saying

“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. As a land-based company that thrives on feeding the land organically for future generations, we saw a clear parallel with Hog Island, their ethos and this focused campaign.”

— McPrice Myers (McPrice Myers Wines)

“I've been working with Patrick for over 20 years, and bringing people together is something that he does very well. This conversation is no exception. We were able to support a cause that originated with Hog Island in Marin County but is very relevant and near to us in Paso Robles.”

— McPrice Myers (McPrice Myers Wines)

“Clairette blanche has a broader base to it, along with very high natural acidity, which is a unique place on any shellfish-driven wine list. Oysters? Sure. Clam chowder? Even better.”

— Patrick McNeil, Director of Sales, McPrice Myers Wines (McPrice Myers Wines)

“We strive to challenge our guests' perception of wine and introduce them to grapes that are a little off the beaten path. With Sea Legacy, you get Bosc pear, tangerine blossom, verbena, lemon zest and mandarin layered with white honey, miso broth and a subtle sea salinity. There's generous oak, but it shows up differently than chardonnay. The oak builds texture and structure rather than dominating the wine.”

— Saul Ranella, Beverage Director, Hog Island Oyster Co. (Hog Island Oyster Co.)

“This project reflects Hog Island's broader commitment to showcasing wine regions and grape varieties that don't always appear on traditional seafood menus. Coastal dining often defaults to a narrow set of familiar whites, but we believe oysters deserve a wider conversation. By highlighting expressive, site-driven and sometimes overlooked grapes, we expand our guests' perception of what pairs with seafood while supporting producers and regions that may not always have the spotlight.”

— Saul Ranella, Beverage Director, Hog Island Oyster Co. (Hog Island Oyster Co.)

What’s next

The White Abalone Project will continue its efforts to breed and restore sustainable wild populations of the endangered white abalone along the California coast.

The takeaway

This partnership between Hog Island Oyster Co. and McPrice Myers Wines demonstrates how businesses can creatively support conservation efforts, in this case by donating a portion of wine sales to help restore the functionally extinct white abalone. It also highlights Hog Island's commitment to expanding the wine and seafood pairing conversation beyond the usual suspects.