Secrets From the Vines
Our mission is to seek out and identify vineyard properties that not only have the underlying characteristics that can make superior Syrah, Cabernet or Savignon Blanc, but that have owners/farmers that are passionate about quality and individuality, to allow us to make great vineyard-specific wines. We make what we drink, period.
DaKine Vineyard
Dakine Vineyard is nestled at the bottom of an east-facing hill on Westside Road in Healdsburg. Two blocks of vines make up this wine: the large block is planted to Syrah, clone 7 on a modern vertical trellis and is farmed traditionally. The small block is planted 4 feet by 4 feet and is farmed exclusively by hand. This small block is made of 11 rows of 5 varieties (2 clones of Syrah) that become the "spice rack" for making this wine. The zinfandel adds spiciness, the Malbec flesh and blueberry notes, the Petit Sirah structure and lengthy tannins and the Carignan and Grenache earthiness. Unlike the blending that occurs in the laboratory of a winery, this is a field blend. All the grapes are harvested and fermented together in one tank.
Redgrav Vineyard
Dennis Delamontanya owns this little vineyard just north of the town of Healdsburg. The vineyard is planted to two clones (7 and 337) of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is located just where the fertile valley loams start blending with the rocky soils and gravels of the north facing hills. A lone Gravenstein apple tree still stands on this property (hence the name), a little reminder of the history of this valley (Apples, prunes and hops once dominated the landscape). What intrigued me about this vineyard was the intense fruit flavors the grapes displayed when I tasted them, not only were they layered with dark berry, plum and cherry but they also possessed a great tannin core. I agreed to buy the fruit from this vineyard only after being impressed with Dennis's commitment to grow and pick nothing but high quality fruit.
Rochioli Vineyard
This little hillside vineyard was planted by the Rochioli family in the 1960's, the vines are planted on St. George rootstock, producing tiny berries full of flavor. The soil here is gravely and the vineyard is planted on what may be the crown jewel "clos" of the Rochioli property. These vines are tended to with extreme love and care by Joe and Tom Rochioli, I feel humbled given the opportunity to make this fruit into wine.
|
