Monster Party 2022
Grapes: Petite Sirah
Vineyard: Farmed by John and Jan Upton, the twenty-five acres under vine at Upton Vineyard were planted in the 1960s on the characteristic loam soils. Varietals include Sauvignon Blanc, Petite Sirah, and Sangiovese. The climate of the upland Redwood Valley AVA experiences more of a diurnal temperature shift than surrounding appellations due to a gap in the coastal ridge which funnels cool Pacific air currents through to the Valley. This leads to a more gradual ripening of refined and complex fruit.
AVA: Redwood Valley
Method: We harvested this old-vine, dry-farmed Petite Sirah with brightness and freshness in mind. After destemming the fruit, we allowed it to undergo maceration for five days with no cap management. We then pressed the juice off the skins and let it ferment in tank until it reached 12 g/L of residual sugar, at which point the tank was chilled. The juice was then racked and bottled under crown cap where it finished fermentation in the bottle to give it its soft effervescence. No disgorging, fining, filtration, or SO2 added in the process.
Tastes and Smells: Hibiscus syrup, tart bing cherry, extra ripe pomegranate
ABV: 11.3%
Cases: 410
Bottling Date: November 2022
Release Date: May 2023