Production Notes
Varietal Content: 78% Pinot Noir, 22% Chardonnay; Cooperage: 90% neutral French oak, 10% stainless steel
Winemaker Notes
Over the past several decades, the Anderson Valley has emerged as California’s preeminent sparkling wine region. With a dramatic coastal climate offering clockwork morning fog, sun-filled days and cold nights, the grapes are able to retain the ideal acidity necessary for a great sparkling wine. This wine offers beautiful flavors of stone fruit, marmalade and orange zest, with a striking lime pith and mineral finish that lingers gracefully on the palate.
Production
For the third year in a row, the Anderson Valley enjoyed an outstanding growing season in 2014. A dry winter was followed by a very wet early spring that ensured enough water for another successful vintage. The vines developed with excellent balance, providing compact clusters and small berries, which in turn led to excellent color, texture and flavors. Harvest began two weeks earlier than normal, with ideal weather conditions alternating between the 70s and 80s. With no threat of rain, we were able to pick all of our grapes exactly when we wished, resulting in complex and richly textured wines. Across the board, yields were lower than the two previous vintages, and quality was sky high.