To honor the land and maintain it for future generations, our farming is sustainable and labor-intensive. Inter-planting different varieties to be harvested together requires individualized attention to each vine. Hand tending, ten or more times a season, ensures a balanced crop and flavorful wines that are distinctive expressions of each vintage.

Winemaking Notes

In 1990, we were delighted to find 40-year-old Sangiovese vines in our old field-blend Zinfandel vineyard. We used cuttings from the old vineyard and six other distinct clonal selections of Sangiovese to plant a new vineyard on the steep west-facing slope of our Acorn Hill block in 1992. We inter-planted two traditional Tuscan varieties, Canaiolo (for color) and Mammolo (for aroma).

We harvested the seven clones of Sangiovese along with the other varieties at the end of October. The grapes were de-stemmed and cold-soaked before inoculation with Brunello yeast. Co-fermentation of the different grapes and 18 months of barrel aging produced this rich, balanced, and complex wine.

People say ours is the “most Italianate” California Sangiovese they’ve tasted. That is a tribute to our vineyard’s traditional field blend and to the long growing season in our cool Russian River Valley microclimate that optimizes the grapes’ aromas and flavors. Add our hands-on attention to the vines and our careful selection of barrels that complement, not overwhelm, the grapes’ natural flavors, and you get this delicious wine.

Composition

A single-vineyard field blend of 98% Sangiovese (7 different clones) with 1% Canaiolo and 1% Mammolo.

Release Date Spring 2009

P.O. Box 2061 · Healdsburg, CA 95448
Winery Phone 707-433-6440 · Fax 707-433-7641
Email: nachbaur@acornwinery.com