2019 VERMENTINO

• Refreshing, light and sassy
• The perfect pool wine
• Essence of lime zest and white fruit
• Pairs well with light seafood and cheese and fruit trays

Vermentino is a light-skinned wine grape variety which is native (more or less,) to the Piedmont region of Italy, bordering France and Switzerland. In France, it is known as Rolle. Whether Rolle and Vermentino are the same grape (based on DNA) is still debated.

What we know is that the grape seems to thrive in Lodi’s Mediterranean climate. The leaves are dark green and pentagonal. The grapes are amber-yellow and hang in pyramidal bunches. In our winemaker’s opinion the vines should be grown with an open canopy so the fruit can benefit from mottled, reflected light.

This vintage of Vermentino was grown seven miles due east of m2 winery. Managed by Craig Ledbetter of Vino Farms, our fruit came from a small section of a large vineyard which Craig set aside for us. The vines were grown to maximize quality over quantity.

What does that mean? ... an open canopy with precise as-needed irrigation, hand-pruning, a reduced bunch count on each vine, plus hand-harvesting and extensive sorting of grapes in the vineyard.

At harvest we sorted the fruit again at the winery, destemmed the clusters then pressed the whole berries. The juice was fermented at a low temperature in stainless-steel tanks and prevented from completing malolactic fermentation to emphasize minerality and the bright citrus character of the wine.

This is a zesty wine with aromatic hints of green apples, flowers and citrus blossoms. The body is light, crisp, intensely fruit and very refreshing. We do not pretend to be experts on food and wine parings, but this wine causes us to remember extra small fresh raw oysters from Hog Island Oyster Company, and our home-made Vichyssoise, with grilled vegetables, olive oil and Mediterranean spices.

CERTIFIED LODI RULES

ALC: 12.5%

pH: 3.58

TA: 5 g/L

GROWER:                    CRAIG LEDBETTER

VINEYARD:                  VINO VERMENTINO

APPELLATION:           MOKELUMNE RIVER – LODI

WINEMAKER:             LAYNE MONTGOMERY

HARVEST DATE: SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

LENGTH OF FERMENTATION: 21 DAYS @ 40F.  YEAST: QA23  MALO-LACTIC

FERMENTATION: NONE 

OAK: NONE

BOTTLING DATE: FEBRUARY 25, 2020

QTY: 350 CASES PRODUCED

In the glass aromas of strawberry and watermelon abound, accentuated with hints of citrus zest. We also notice flavors of pomegranate and cranberries, and a refreshing crispness.

Drink chilled with friends at a picnic, or on your porch while watching your neighbor mow his yard.

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An extra dry rose, displaying notes of strawberry and watermelon, with just a hint of residual sugar. The fine bubbles dance on your tongue without tickling your nose!