Vintage: 2017
Varietal: 100% Grenache
Vineyard: Swayze Vineyard
Appellation: Los Angeles County
Harvest Date: September 1
Production: 51 cases
Alcohol by Volume: 14.4%
pH: 3.7
Vineyard: The Swayze Vineyard is a unique high desert site at the northwest edge of Los Angeles County. It sits at 3000 feet of altitude inthe shadow of the Sierra Pelona Mountains. The high altitude cools the vineyard and provides a 30 degree diurnal temperature shift over the course of the growing season. Rainfall averages 5-7 inches annually with all precipitation occurring over the winter. Insect and mildew pressure is minimal and requires little to no control inputs. The vineyard is planted to an unknown Grenache clone that produces moderate crop levels and loose clusters. All vines are trellised in a modified vertical shoot positioning system with five foot in row spacing and ten feet between rows for a density of 871 plants per acre. Row orientation is north to south. Crop levels average 3.5 tons per acre. The vinesare over fifteen years old, grown on deep well-draining soils, and drip irrigated.
Growing Season: The vineyard received 6.5 inches (average amount) of rain during 2017 rainfall season. The last frost event was March 7th. Daytime temperatures reached the 80’s throughout May and June and into the high 90’s during July and August. Diurnal temperature swings were consistently 20-30 degrees.
Winemaking: Ripe clusters were hand-picked at 24.7 Brix before sunrise and delivered to the winery cold. The grapes were hand-sorted for quality before being destemmed and gently crushed. The must was adjusted foracidity at crush before undergoing a three day cold soak in two open-top fermenters. Inoculated with domesticated yeast and fermented to dryness over the course of 14 days. The wine pressed into tank and then racked off the gross lees into oak barrels (75% neutral) where it completed malolactic fermentation. Aged 10 months in barreland 8 months in bottle before release.
Tasting notes: Raspberry fruit, subtle cherry cola, baking spices and light body. Elegant, aromatic, and interesting. The wine is a great choice for seafood, summer days, and for those who enjoy subtle Pinot Noir.
