Primabera 2019 - Library

Appellation:

Shenandoah Valley

Winemaker Notes:

One of the top sellers in our tasting room is our Primitivo, guests simply love it and we usually make it the grand finale of the tasting flight of reds. We made a small trial batch of Primabera in 2017, which we have in our Library collection, and turned out to be La Mesa co-owner Charlene’s favorite. So we decided to roll out a larger batch in 2021. With the amazing blending skills of our winemaker Antonia, we created a perfect balance that showcases the amazing region we have here for growing and making Italian wines. Subtle infusion of French Medium Toast oak in the Barbera, none in the Primitivo, and the wine was aged nearly two years before bottling in May 2021.

Vineyard Notes:

Primitivo: Planted on deep growing and drought tolerant special rootstock, our Estate Old Vine Primitivo grows on a steep hillside at a 2,000-foot altitude in Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley of the Sierra Foothills. It thrives in warm daytime breezes from the Central Valley and cool Sierra evenings, a 30 degree swing in temperature. Our Primitivo is dry farmed with sustainable growing practices. These are the oldest vines at La Mesa and grow just below the “Casa” on the upper hillside, head trained and planted 20 years ago.

Barbera: Our Estate Barbera grows on the upper hillside at 2,000-foot altitude planted in 2013 in the granitic and volcanic soil of our vineyard estate. It is grafted on special drought tolerant rootstock which allows it to dig deep in this soil for water. The infamous Cooper Barbera vineyard, whose owner Dick Cooper being the one who introduced Barbera to Amador County, is very close by to ours.