Previous Releases
 

2008 Fiddlestix Vineyard

This wine was made exclusively from clone 667 vines on two different rootstocks in the Fiddlestix Vineyard. Clusters were small and consisted of small-to-medium-size berries. The grapes were picked by hand in the early pre-dawn hours of October 2, 2008. After destemming, the berries were cold-soaked for 6 days with twice-daily punchdowns, which yielded deeply colored juice that was then inoculated with Assmanshausen yeast to accentuate varietal character. Twelve days later, free-run and press fractions were collected separately, settled overnight and racked into French oak: 1/3 new, 1/3 1-to-4 year, and 1/3 neutral barrels. Full malolactic fermentation was then induced by inoculating with cultured bacteria. The wine was bottled on June 21, 2010 and held until January 2011 before being released. It is true to the clonal character of 667, with good structural balance and nuanced fruitiness that is complemented by hints of spice and earth.

103 cases produced.

$45 per bottle

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2008 Appellation Cuvée

The Sta. Rita Hills Appellation Cuvée is made exclusively from grapes grown in two Sta. Rita Hills vineyards, Quinta Santa Rosa (35%) and Fiddlestix (65%). The clones were 5, 115, 667 and 777, which were harvested in early October 2008. After cold soaking for 5-7 days, the must was inoculated with Assmanshausen yeast. Free-run and press wines were collected and held separately following a moderately paced fermentation. After settling to remove gross lees, the wines were barreled (one-third new, one-third 1-4 year, and one-third neutral French oak) and inoculated to produce a complete secondary malolactic fermentation. The wine was held for a total of 20 months in barrel, with one racking, before it was bottled June 21, 2010 and held an additional year prior to its release. 14.1% alcohol.

326 cases produced

$35 per bottle

Please click here for a printable version of these notes.