This unique, old-vine field blend is vinified from grapes picked from two single-vineyard sites on Nov. 6, 2018—post frost. From the Casa Verde vineyard, planted in 1944, we harvested a field blend of old-vine Carignane, Grenache, and Colombard. Casa Verde is dry farmed and certified organic with 75-year-old, head-pruned vines, planted on alluvial loam soils. These low-yielding plants produce small clusters (averaging one to two tons per acre) that impart firm structure and refreshing acidity to the blend. This incredibly unique fruit is complemented by a small percentage of Grenache from the Niemi Vineyard, where red soils with volcanic influence yield grapes with a plush texture, which adds great texture to the final blend.
The grapes were destemmed with 80% whole berries. Fermentation took place in open top fermenters. The free-run, drained juice underwent native malolactic fermentation, which took 12 months to complete. The wine was aged for 19 months in older François Frères barrels. Bottled on July 31, 2020.
If ever a wine was crying out for hearty, rib-sticking fare, it’s Winter’s Edge. With its red berry-driven flavors, bright acidity, and smooth tannins, it’ll stand up beautifully to seared ribeye steak or a meaty, comforting stew. And if you need a crowd pleaser for your Thanksgiving feast, Winter's Edge will sing with roasted turkey and all the trimmings.
