We are still enjoying the remnants of winter and will finish pruning in ten or twelve days. That’s 450,000 reasons to be happy! With the lack of rain, we are starting to irrigate. A chance of rain is forecast for the next three days, which would be a great help. Tractors are discing under the natural winter cover crop. As we irrigate, we are checking the system for its use in case of spring frost. In the vineyard, there is always something to care for, but that extra care helps to make our wines something special.
I had fun recently in Napa Valley visiting a few of the wineries who purchase our grapes. A few tastes of their wines made from our grapes helped to confirm that 2012 will be an outstanding vintage. I then made a quick trip to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to visit our new distributor. The stone crabs with mustard sauce were enjoyable!
2010 Sauvignon Blanc: Grown in our Valley View Vineyard, these grapes were shared with Gainey, Rusack, and Trinchero. Sauvignon Blanc is a variety that we haven’t done all that much with. It has been pretty static in the marketplace, yet our grapes have been in good demand. This 2010 is void of grassiness and has steely flavors of flint and minerality coming from the fact that it is grown in a warmer climate, our Bordeaux-like Valley View Vineyard.
2009 Syrah: Our 2008 vintage was made with an addition of 4% Viognier at fermentation. This 2009 was made without Viognier. I like both wines but they are different. The 2008 had a little more floral character from the Viognier. This one is more typical of Syrah with a little bit of bacon coming from our few rows of Syrah Noir, a unique clone with sparse berries in the bunches that mature fully. It also contains grapes from the Estrella clone which is noted for its grapey fruitiness. Together, these clones make a complex wine with hints of French oak. It’s almost creamy. At 14.5% alcohol, it’s soft but bold. This wine is waiting to be enjoyed with pork roast or leg of lamb inserted with garlic and rosemary.
Pink is in! In a few weeks, we will roll out the pink carpet when our 2011 Sparkling Blanc de Noir with 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay makes it debut. At the same time, our Rosé of Pinot Noir will be released. It has been given rave reviews from anyone who has been near it!
Looking forward to spring and can’t wait for the cruise. We wish it were tomorrow.