|
||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
JEMROSE VINEYARD Located in the southeast corner of Bennett Valley, Jemrose Vineyard is an impressive planting of Syrah. Anchored by its steep Cardiac Hill block, Jemrose Vineyard is a nine acre parcel planted to a variety of clones. Planted in 2000 by owner Jim Mack, Jemrose Vineyard is a hidden gem in this young appellation. Our fruit source at Jemrose is the northeast facing slope named Cardiac Hill. It reminds me of my former boss Pierre Gaillard's Les Viallieres block in Cote Rotie. Cardiac Hill's peak of 850 feet descends sharply to the valley floor. Planted to clones Estrella River and 174, the well drained soil and extreme grade provide a challenged existence for the vines. Needless to say, the yields are very low. However, the result of such a parcel is a deeply expressive Syrah imbued with subtle restraint found only in cool climate Syrah. |
|
 |
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
KICK RANCH
A rolling vineyard in Santa Rosa's Rincon Valley, Kick Ranch, at the base of Spring Mountain, is a formidable source of Syrah. Planted to a diverse group of Syrah clones on rocky volcanic soil, Kick Ranch offers seemingly endless possibilities. Its two blocks offer different clones, rootstocks, and expositions, providing its winemakers ample opportunity to create dynamic wines. Planted in 2001 by Dick Keenan and Kathleen McNamara, Kick Ranch is immaculately manicured and meticulously farmed. The care and passion invested by its owners is wondrously directed by vineyard manager Glenn Alexander. The impressive owner and vineyard team only strengthens an already dynamic site. The wines exude the congruence of site, selection, and sacrifice. We source three tons of Syrah from two different blocks at Kick Ranch. The unctuous and textured Hermitage clone, as well as the expressive and structured 470 clone, come from the upper B1 block. Just below, the intense fruit driven 877 clone comes from the lower B2 block. |
|
 |
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
VALENTI RANCH
Perched on a western ridge of Anderson Valley - towering 1500 feet above the valley floor - and a mere ten miles from the Pacific Ocean, the Valenti Ranch is a majestic parcel of Syrah. In this extreme locale, the Ranch's southeastern exposition and twenty percent grade allow the vines to slowly mature to perfection. Planted to the Shiraz 1 clone in 2000, the Ranch was taken over by the venerable winegrower Steve Williams in 2005. His deft hand and understanding of cool climate grape growing has created the critical synergy between grower and soil in one of Anderson Valley's northern most Syrah plantings. Steve realizes the delicate balance and care needed to coax the necessary fruit maturity in such challenging terrior. As a result, the small yielding site produces wines of intensity and balance. Dark and brooding, yet feminine and enveloping, the Valenti Ranch Syrah offers a unique and multifaceted wine. It is truly the essence of cool-climate California Syrah. |
|
 |
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
ALDER SPRINGS
Owned and managed by the indomitable Stuart Bewlay, the epic Alder Springs vineyard is located in the hinterlands of Mendocino County. It is a commanding presence emerging from Mendocino’s northwestern ridges. The vineyard is a winemaker's playground planted to numerous varietals, clones, and rootstocks, and further diversified by its varied soil types and expositions. Spanning 124 acres, at elevations from 1700 to 2700 feet, and a scant seven miles from the Pacific Ocean, Alder Springs offers many choices to its vintners. We source fruit from three separate blocks with a variety of clones. Our blocks were chosen, with the guidance of Stu, to take advantage of the vineyard's disparate components. Emerald Pool, an extremely challenged and low vigor spot, gives us clones 470, 174, and 300. The Ridge, one of the coolest spots, provides us with the rare syrah clone 99. And, clone 383 comes from the expressive Manzanita block. In pioneering this wayward locale, Stu provides winemakers with the opportunity to create wines of style and elegance. There is not much more we can ask for and we look forward to stunning wines in the years to come.
|
|
 |
|
|
||||