{ White Experiment W4.7 }

The previous vintage of white wine illuminated our interest in grapes grown at elevation, particularly for the cooler climates. With this in mind, we sought out a vineyard that could provide us Rhone varieties grown in a more temperate zone. Our expectation was that this would provide us with fruit that was both rich and decadent while also being focused and lively.

We found a vineyard for the Rhone varietals in the far northern reaches of Mendocino County. In addition to Viognier and Roussanne, we also sourced Picpoul Blanc and Marsanne from this same site. As with previous years, all the fruit harvested was whole cluster pressed – with the exception of the Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc, which saw two days of skin contact. Each varietal was fermented separately in variously sized barrels and subsequently blended in January. Primary lees were stirred twice a month for 7 months prior to bottling.

Each iteration of our Experiment White hones our perception of what it is and what it could be. Additionally, each vintage holds a surprise or two for us. For example, Picpoul Blanc is grown in the Rhone and used in white blends almost exclusively for its acid. We were intrigued to try the variety and found it to be an extraordinarily lovely wine all on its own – a welcome revelation and addition to the blend. This new source of Rhone varietals (Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne and Picpoul Blanc) – its cooler climate and elevated site – provide this wine great balance between heft, power, richness and vibrancy, tension and precision.