Growing Conditions

2012 was a stellar growing year for Paso Robles. Average winter rainfall was adequate to take the vines happily through harvest. Temperatures were ideal with the cool wet winter followed by a warm spring that encouraged a generous bud break and fruit set. The summer sunshine and warmth led to normal harvest dates. All in all, it was very stress free growing year for both the grapes and the growers.

Harvest

October 1st - November 12th, 2012

Bottling

June 15th, 2014

Winemaking

After a careful hand cluster sort, 50% of the grapes were fermented whole cluster. The remainder was then berry sorted. Fermentation followed normal Villa Creek protocol: daily pigeage during a 4 day cold soak, followed by 100% native yeast fermentation with gentle pump-overs when needed. The grapes were co-fermented in two separate lots. 25% of the wine was aged in new French oak. The remainder of the wine was aged in stainless steel tanks.