Happenstance, the Angel of Pinot, and a new vineyard!

 

Rebecca’s Vineyard

 Pinot Noir

Russian River Valley

Clone:  DRC-suitcase          Planted: 1997

 I thought that after spending 15 years making Pinot Noir before the age of 21 that I had dispelled all of my teenage rebellion and angst.  Alas, it seems that my hormones have raged again.  People can repeat stupid mistakes it seems….

  The main reason that I had written off Pinot Noir is that the demand is so high right now for fruit, to in turn feed the amazing demand for Pinot right now, that I would have to pay an inordinate amount of money for Pinot Noir that is not of great quality.  Most of the best fruit has been spoken for.  So, three weeks before harvest I am already stressed enough not thinking about making Pinot, and then my friend Josh Hermsmeyer sends me an email.

For those of you who do not know Josh is the mind behind pinotblogger.com and the owner of Capozzi Winery.  Unfortunately Josh has had a run-in with shoddy compliance work being done for him and his plans for making wine this fall have been dashed.  Now, just before harvest he is left with fruit unsold.

Now for those of you who know anything about Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Josh’s vineyard is located in God’ Country.  He is wedged between Kistler’s Vine Hill vineyard and Joe Swan in the “Golden Triangle.”  The vines are ten years old, practically dry-farmed, and planted to a Domaine de la Romanee-Conti suitcase clones.  The vineyard slope is close to 30 degrees and this year’s crop looks to be just under 2 tons an acre.  In other works, the equivelant of 36-24-36 to the winemaker!

Now it appears kismet might be at play here.  As is discussed in the video the vines are located within view of Joe Swan winery.  It was with Joe, in the little winery, that my dad learned how to make wine while on break from his normal job of cancer immunology back in the 70’s.  The current winery at Swan my pop literally helped build.  That I am being given a chance to work with fruit that overlooks a place that played such a huge part in determining my father’s success and my resulting choice to make wine as well certainly inbeds the vineyard with great meaning.  

Now, I just need to figure out how to make it…..:) 

 

 

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You’re currently reading “Happenstance, the Angel of Pinot, and a new vineyard!,” an entry on Bedrock Wine Co.

Published:
08.16.07 / 7pm
Category:
Cinema, Influences and Perspectives, The Vineyards