Growing Conditions
The Suisun (Soo-Soon) Valley AVA is located in Solono County, just east of the Napa growing region. While small at only eight miles long and three miles wide it has been relatively undiscovered until recently. Located near the San Pablo Bay, there is no shortage of cooling afternoon breezes during the growing season creating ideal growing conditions. Soils here
are deep and varied types of loam which is well drained and allows roots to grow deep. We source from a small, young vineyard planted with quality in mind. Managed sustainably and thoughtfully, these balanced vines produce complex flavors
and dark color. The 2020 growing season and harvest was near normal in some ways and very unusual in others. Vine growth and berry development was normal through spring. Then, summer brought lingering heatwaves. Of course, the wildfires throughout the North Coast were a concern but there was a low incidence of smoke at this site. Harvest timing tracked as normal.
Bottling
February 2023
Winemaking
Hand-harvested clusters were sorted in the vineyard to assure only the highest quality would reach the winery where they are gently destemmed. After being destemmed, this lot was fermented in a four-ton stainless-steel open top fermenter for 20 days. After daily pump-overs (for color and tannin extraction) the tanks are tasted and analyzed for their tannin and structure to determine the length of extended maceration.
Aging
This lot was aged for 26 months, in 36% New French Oak, 35% Twice used French Oak and 29% Neutral French Oak. This lot was racked two times during its cellar life, with the second to blend together and barrel down in 100% New French Oak where the lot will rest for three months until the final racking,
just prior to filtering and bottling.
