Benchlands 2021

Varietal:

38% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, 17% Nero d'Avola, 16% Carignan, 4% Valdiguié, 4% Colombard

Alcohol:

12.5%

Vinification Notes:

Zinfandel, both Petite Sirahs, and Nero d’Avola were each fermented separately in small batches while the Carignan, Valdiguié, and Colombard grapes were harvested and co-fermented as one lot (red and white grapes together!). The components were kept separate after pressing and aged in neutral oak barrique and larger 500L puncheons. Racked, blended, and bottled after 5 months. Unfined. Unfiltered. Sediment expected.

Vineyard:

Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from Chiarito-Ling Vineyard, Ukiah, Mendocino County; dry-farmed (non-irrigated) vineyard, farmed by us according to organic principles (no pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers); gravelly loam soils.

Petite Sirah from Bricarelli Ranch, Ukiah, Mendocino County, 15-year-old head trained, dry farmed (non-irrigated) vineyard,  farmed by us to organic principles (no pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers); gravelly loam soils. 

Nero d’Avola from Fox Hill Vineyard, Talmage Bench, Mendocino County; 34-year-old vines; farmed according to organic principles; sandstone and pebbly loam soils.

Carignan, Valdiguié, and Colombard from Ricetti Vineyard, Redwood Valley, Mendocino County; planted in 1948; dry-farmed (non-irrigated), certified organic vineyard; gravelly loam soils.

Tasting Notes:

Our pool sipper, sun kisser, skinny dipper. This wine soaks up all the subtleties of summer play with a nod to the uplifted Mendocino benchlands where these vines are planted. Expect aromas of sarsaparilla and cherry cola, a buoyant texture, and notes of orange, cinnamon and tart cherry.