The 2019 season was characterized by heavy rainfall and a cold winter. Several atmospheric rivers brought storms with up to 6" of rain at times and a polar vortex decended from the north and touched us here in the Sierras producing quite a few days of snow at our 2000 ft altitude. The heavy rain continued through May making for a crazy start to the growing season. Bud break was later than usual but a warm summer quickly allowed the grapes to catch up and made for a normal harvest date.

We did some exploration around us and located a nearby vineyard growing Roussanne at similar high altitude, the Honeychurch vineyard in Amador County. Set on the edge of a seasonal creek with giant old growth oak trees, the biggest I've ever seen, and surrounded by old growth olive trees, sits a 1 acre block of Roussanne growing on beautiful red volcanic granitic soil, dry farmed on trellis structure.

We harvested, after walking and tasting the block over several weeks for the perfect time, on September 23. The grapes were immediately whole cluster pressed and crash chilled to settle out solids, then cold fermented for 15 days with a special yeast we selected to enhance the aromas. No oak was added and there was no secondary malolactic fermentation was done so you are tasting the pure varietal from this magestic vineyard with slightly crisper acidity than usual Roussannes.

It is a medium bodied wine, with high aromatics and tasting notes of apricot, lemon, pear, chamomile and bees wax. It pairs well with seafood, crisp fresh summer salads, light pasta and chicken.

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