Dense and undeniably flavorful, our Late Harvest Pinot Gris offers aromas of Honeycrisp
apple, Bartlett pear and apricot jam. On the palate, the wine is attractively sweet, with
honey and highlights of candied lemon on the finish.
Vineyard Notes
Our home ranch on the west side of the High Valley AVA has been known as “High
Serenity Ranch” for over one hundred years. The blocks planted to this idyllic site
include Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Gewurztraminer. Each block is
comprised of ancient lakebed and alluvial soils from the surrounding mountain range.
The transverse valley winds create some of the coolest sites in Lake County. The lower
temperatures on the valley floor allow for diurnal temperature swings of more than forty
degrees, enhancing flavor development while retaining a crisp acidity.
Winemaker Notes
When grapes remain on the vine late into the harvest season, they become sweeter and
more concentrated. Our Late Harvest Pinot Gris is made from grapes that are allowed to
remain on the vine until they begin to shrivel and form raisins. These grapes are then
used to make a wine that contains both higher residual sugar and a more concentrated
and complex flavor profile. We harvest these special grapes as our very last pick of the
season, and bring them to the winery where, after gentle pressing, we allow the juice to
cold settle overnight. The next day we rack the juice off heavy lees and ferment in small
stainless-steel tanks. Sur lie aging with battonage (lees stirring) once a week in tank creates
additional body, texture and viscosity in the wine. This wine was aged four months, lightly
fined and filtered before bottling for maximum freshness and brilliant clarity.