When we released our 2020 Grüner Veltliner in 2021, we stated that unlike in Austria where it ripens mid-season, in Philo it appeared to ripen early like Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir. We now realize our mistake. Our first Grüner in 2020 was made from four-year-old vines, which were the initial planting of this variety in Anderson Valley at Valley Foothills Vineyard, our neighbor to the northwest. We often forget that young vines ripen their fruit rapidly, and we were reminded of this in 2023 when seven-year-old Grüner vines were harvested after the Gewürztraminer grapes had already ripened. Following pressing and cold settling, the wine was fermented and aged
sur lie in seasoned French oak ovals, the same process we use for our five Alsatian varieties.
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Azolla filiculoides is an invasive, free-floating water fern probably brought into our ponds by birds. Young plants are a bright greyish green but soon turn red in color. It can quickly form large, floating mats over the ponds. We rented a machine that sucks water delivering Azolla to the foot of a conveyer which then dumps the fern into a bin. The large piles of Azolla are what we harvested from our Hammer Olsen pond.
This traditional method highlights the grape's flavors, and each of the six varietals have a distinct flavor profile. Grüner Veltliner boasts good acidity, giving the wine a refreshing quality with a citrusy flavor profile showcasing a spicy character reminiscent of pepper and dill.
Double Gold Medal winner. 94 points.
