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A Guide to our Regional Fine Wines
Chardonnay - A wine with great appeal due to its ability to take on a different character dependent upon the winemaker's treatment of the crush. Aged in oak, this wine will have a buttered toast taste, creamy and full-bodied, with a hint of green apple. It is important this not be left too long in oak as the oak flavor will overtake it and it will lose the desired creamier body for a flabby taste. Rather than taking on a complex and rich flavor, it will seem overdone. The wine tends to be medium to dry with a full-bodied vanilla or butterscotch finish.
Riesling - A versatile grape that generally produces a semi-sweet to sweet wine. Tends to retain a fresh, balanced acidity with high sugar. A light-bodied wine with a delicate flavor of fresh ripe apricots or peaches. Tends to have a lower alcohol level than Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, which accentuates the light-body on the palate. Prefers cooler conditions so can be tempermental in our region if the summer is too hot.
Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris) - Like Chardonnay, this grape takes on different characters based on the growing conditions of the vineyard and its treatment by the winemaker. This wine tends toward a slightly nutty overtone in aroma and flavor. Pear and spice-cake are other flavors available to the palate. A light texture with medium to dry body. Originated as a mutation of Pinot Noir.
Cabernet Franc - This is a medium bodied red wine that is prized for its acidity when employed in blending wines. Possesses a strawberry-like fruit quality, light body, medium intensity of flavor, and fresh acidity. Prized in many Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends as it helps to bring the best fruit flavor forward when blended with these wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon - The grape itself has an intense black currant flavor. Tends toward high tannins and can seem harsh and astringent on its own. Skillful blending with Cabernet Franc and Merlot soften the tannins while smoothing out the finish.
Merlot - The grape possesses lower tannins and acid than Cabernet Sauvignon, making this an excellent complement to Cabernet Sauvignon. On its own, Merlot (little blackbird is its meaning) can evoke blackberry, plums, or mocha flavors. The tannins are generally soft on the palate with a medium body.
Nebbiolo - Very popular in the Italian Piedmont region where it has been cultivated for centuries. Produces a big, full-bodied wine that with age becomes elegant, velvety-smooth, subtle expresso-like flavor. Not to be drunk when young. Age tames the tannins, and proves to be worth the wait.
Pinot Noir - Produces a light, low tannic red wine when grown in this region. The wine tends toward medium intensity in flavor, light body in texture. Look for red berry or cherry undertones on your palate and a silky texture that pleases.
Sangiovese - Once isolated in Italy and used in Chianti, this grape has become popular in our vineyard for the earthy, rich, complex flavor it lends to other wines. It resembles Pinot Noir in its smooth structure while like Cabernet Franc, brings out the best balance of acidity and tannins for superb body when blended with stronger reds that need a bit of taming. Essential to Chianti, it is popular in Super Tuscan blends.
Syrah (Shiraz) - A full flavored grape that produces strong, sturdy bodied wines that are fine alone or excellent in blends. Look for a peppery spiciness on the palate and a fresh taste that is derived from its tannin-acid balance. If grown during a hot season, it can take on a boysenberry-spicy character that is charming on the palate and blends well with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Zinfandel - Related to the Primitivo grape popular in southern Italy. Provides lots of sugar to blends as well as a distinctive ripe berry flavor. Alone, a well-balanced wine with a full-body and woody, wild-berry flavor. In blends, encourages a round, well-balanced tannin-acid blend to come forward on the palate.
A word about blends: Often winemakers will add a little of this and a little of that to the primary wine to accentuate the best qualities while toning down overpowering tendencies. It is a bit like a chef in the kitchen - too much and the finished product becomes overdone; too little, and it seems flabby and watered down. It is part of the winemakers art to create and craft blends from his or her vineyard that showcase all of the best of each wine for a unique and stylized finished wine.
A word about transporting your wine and storing it once you are at home: Wine is a product that is sensitive to temperature, humidity, light and even the vibrations from the ride home in your car. We suggest you protect your purchase by bringing a cooler along with you when you visit our winery. Even 30 minutes in a car on a mild spring day can create temperatures above 75 degrees - this will create a "cooked" taste in your bottle. Store your wine once home in an area that does not fluctuate greatly in temperature - and never above 75 degrees for long periods of time. This will help to keep the flavor you enjoyed in the tasting room waiting for you in the bottle!
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