• 2020 Gewürztraminer
    Estate Bottled (Dry)
    Anderson Valley, Mendocino
    • (750 ml) Sold Out!
    • (375 ml) Sold Out!
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We've been growing Gewürztraminer grapes and producing wine in Anderson Valley since the '70s and it isn't getting easier—or cheaper. Bud break has been happening earlier exposing the vines to more potential frost events. Harvest dates for Gewürztraminer have also been inching earlier every year—from late September to early September—and if the weather is hot during ripening, sugar accumulation happens faster resulting in a shorter window for harvesting fruit at its peak. In 2020, ripening was proceeding so quickly that we had to bring in a second crew to harvest one block while the first crew was harvesting another field. The grapes from the ridge block at Valley Foothills Vineyard—12% of this bottling—were harvested on September 2; grapes from the two blocks of the East Hill—37% of the total—were harvested on September 7; and grapes from the three blocks of the West Hill—51% of the final blend—were harvested on September 10.


[above] 4 AM at the winery with bins of just harvested Gewürztraminer grapes being dumped into the destemmer.
Aerial view of night-harvesting 2020 West Hill Gewürztraminer—51% of this bottling—with a socially distanced crew. [below]

The grapes from each block were destemmed as separate lots and pressed without skin-contact time to avoid picking up any forest fire smoke. Finally the juice was fermented and aged sur lie in temperature-controlled French oak ovals for seven months. Our dry Gewürz has enough intensity to pair successfully with chili rellenos or spicy Italian sausage. Gold Medal winner. Best of Class.


[above] When ripened with sun protection from the leaves, the skins of Gewürz grapes turn a bright russet color and are very aromatic; when grown without any sun protection, the berries turn yellow and have fewer floral aromatics.

Specifications
  • Harvested: Sept. 2 to 10, 2020
  • Sugars at harvest: 24.0° Brix
  • Bottled: May 10 & 11, 2021
  • Cases produced: 2,362
  • Alcohol: 13.5%
  • Titratable acidity: 5.9 g/L
  • pH: 3.33