High up in the Sierra Nevada, the California Gold Country town of Auburn. lies this gem of a vineyard of Viognier, planted and managed by the father and son team of John and Joe Damiano.  When picked just a bit less ripe than many CA Viogniers, the fruit expresses lively citrus and gentle white flower aromatics, while barrel fermentation in mostly older French oak barrels leads to a wine of perfect structure and creamy-crispy balance.  

Winemaker Notes:

Beautiful nose of white flowers (jasmine, gardenia and honeysuckle) mingled with pretty green tea, grapefruit and orange zest aromas, only a light kiss of creamy vanilla oak toast.  Super crisp acidity without being puckery tart, just pinpoint balanced with trace of sweetness and creaminess from oak. Juicy, mouth-watering Honey-crisp apple and citrus, green peach fruit. Great structure to pair with lemon-butter shrimp or Thai food or even to drink solo.

Harvest Date:

August 28, 2016

Fermentation Characteristics:

De-stemmed to press and cold settled.

Cellar Storage/Aging:

100% barrel fermented, stirred weekly sur lie. No Malo-lactic fermentation, so it is crisply finished.

Varietal:

97.5% Viognier, 2 clones: 60% Entav 642 and 40% Calera; and 2.5% Estate DCV Chardonnay

Appellation:

Damiano Vineyard, Placer County, Sierra Foothills

Release Date:

July 1, 2017