The 2008 harvest was another
picture perfect season, reminding us of how blessed we are
to be working where we do. While several of our lower lying
vineyards were impacted by a rare spring frost which significantly
curtailed yields, most of our sites eschewed the circumstance
with their higher elevations. Just as with 2007, we found
tremendous flavor development and balance at somewhat lower
sugars than prior years prompting us to pick sooner than in
the earlier portion of the decade.
We are happy to present two “new” vineyard sites
this year, and while new to our stable both are certainly
intriguing and quite mature. The first is the fabled Sanford
& Benedict vineyard planted in 1970. Without the pioneering
spirit of Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict our growing
area may have never been initiated and for that we are forever
grateful. The second is Gnesa (pronounced ne-sa) which is
a gorgeous four acre chardonnay vineyard planted by Lee Gnesa
in 1996 on his family’s property originally purchased
in 1916. We first gained access to this spectacular fruit
in 2007, all of which was included in our Sta. Rita Hills
bottling. We are proud to represent the Gnesa family name
with 2008 and feel very privileged to have assumed the management
responsibility of the vineyard starting January of 2009.
In addition to that farming commitment, our vineyard crew
has been diligently working to nurture our new plantings at
3-D, Machado and the newly planted Hapgood. We of course are
more intimate than ever with Mount Carmel which continues
to blossom and gain renewed health under the astute guidance
of our vineyard manager, Francisco Ramirez and soil consultant,
Stan Kadota. We can not thank these two gentlemen enough for
their brilliant minds and unwavering discipline and encourage
you to read more about them here.
The current global economy has made us all extremely aware
of the products we purchase and their corresponding value.
We are very proud that the investments we have made planting
and farming our own vineyards over the past five years have
finally begun to “bear their fruit.” Gladly, this
situation allows us to pass these benefits on to you in the
form of prices that hearken back to years before these projects
began. In addition, beginning in September, we will be offering
opportunities to taste and purchase our current releases by
appointment on Fridays. For all of you that would prefer to
pick up your wine, we will also be holding our first ever
“Pick – Up Day” on January 9, 2010. We look
forward to showing you the facility and getting to know all
of you better.
In closing we present to you three vineyard specific chardonnays
in this newsletter from Sanford & Benedict, Gnesa and
Mount Carmel. Those whites are complemented by a trio of pinot
noirs from Zotovich, Cargasacchi and Mount Carmel. Our 2008
Sta. Rita Hills chardonnay and 2007 Sta. Rita Hills pinot
noir are currently available. Next spring, we plan to release
the balance of wines from 2008 which will include chardonnay
from Sea Smoke and Sweeney Canyon as well as pinot noir from
Ampelos, Clos Pepe and Melville exclusively to the Mailing
List members.
Thank you for all your continued support
of our appellation and work.
For a printable version of the 2008 vintage
notes, please click here.
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