2019 Grenache

Highland Vineyard // Creston AVA

With Santa Barbara County being a cooler growing climate for Rhone Varietals, Highland vineyard gave us the chance to produce Grenache in a completely different way. These grapes came in looking riper than any grapes we have ever received. The heat of the Creston AVA allows the color in Grenache grapes to fully develop, the stems to lignify and the tannins to round and soften.

Generally, our winemaking philosophy is to pick slightly less ripe to maintain balance, acid and increase aging potential in our finished wines, so this Grenache was asinine to us.

Here’s the breakdown on this wine -

Partial whole cluster and crushed berry. Fermented 11 days on the skins, foot stomped daily by Julia, pressed to tank, pumped to neutral oak barrel, aged for 10 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Dark red cherries, light herbal essences, smooth tannin, farmers market berry stand.

Eat with Gochujang Short Ribs, Texas style smoked Brisket, Blueberry pancakes (if drinking before 11am).