Growing Conditions
After a wet and snowy winter, we emerged from a 5-year drought and plunged into a summer marked by periods of high heat followed by abnormally cold weather. Once the summer ended, the major events that would shape the 2017 harvest began. The first was a brief but intense heat wave that shocked the vines and delayed the onset of harvest a few weeks. Once the ball got rolling agian, we were able to finish our 2017 harvest under exceptional conditions. We were fortunate enough to have picked the last fruit from our Los Carneros estate the same day that the Patrick Road (Nuns) Fire began. This was part of a complex of fires that spanned Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties and lasted over two weeks. We are thankful that we were spared any damage, and it is no surprise that our 2017 vintage is one to remember.
Winemaking
Our 2017 Méthode Champenoise, Brut Rosé, a blend of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay from our Los Carneros estate, spent 2 years en tirage before disgorging in June of 2020. This wine boasts a pale copper hue with notes of wild ginger, red grapefruit, and raspberry with a hint of cassis. Yeasty brioche notes with orange peel and lemon meringue expand on the palate, finishing with a bright mousse of bubbles.
