From the Ground Up
May, 2014
Just returned from the L&L Wine Cruise, 2014 where I was surrounded by 40 of our Wine Club members for 14 days - a wonderful time and adventure for all of us. Our time was spent in newfound territories, under new circumstances, and filled with fun, friendship, and our favorite wines! Anjie, Andy, Jill, and I had the privilege of hosting a marvelous group of your fellow club members with one exception, my dear friend Larry, the fun maker! It was a time filled with new memories.
2013 Rosé of Pinot Noir: Our previous vintage, 2012, took this wine to new heights of interest and production. It was the most well received Rosé produced yet. Our new 2013 is made similar in style but with a little less residual sugar. With this wine, we think we’ve reached close to the goal of what we want our rosé to be. Megan treats this wine similar to a white wine and does not allow not much skin contact with mature Pinot Noir grapes from our Los Alamos Vineyard. Rosé wines worldwide are seeing a resurgence in sales. I recently read that in France, 30-40% of wine consumed is rosé - what a surprise! This one will compete with the best. I like it as a cocktail wine. In summer it would make great popsicles - really! It can go with salads, white meats, and salty snacks.
2012 Pinot Noir, High 9: This wine continues the past tradition of our award winning Goodchild “High 9” Vineyard in Santa Maria. This year, we’re going to try to visit the summit of the vineyard on our Vineyard
Tour in August. Every year we have had to look from afar. This vineyard is planted to 100% Clone 667, which has become one of California’s favorite clones for Pinot Noir. Vineyard production is limited and is 100% “High 9”. It has beautiful color, is not over extracted, and is loaded with black cherry flavors both in the nose and taste.
We have had a different kind of a winter with not much of anything in the way of frost, rain, or cold. Our vines look great. Our water supply so far is holding steady, and it looks like we’re going to have an early harvest.
Time is drawing near for the 10th Annual Wine Club Summer BBQ on my gopher ridden lawn which overlooks our favorite vines. To make it extra special this year, we plan to do the meal ourselves, so don’t be scared. My contribution to the meal will be Croatian sauerkraut, made according to my mother’s instructions. August is around the corner when we embark on our annual Vineyard Tour. Reserve your seat early because it is filling up quickly.
Fill your summer with family and friends!