High up in the Sierra Nevada, in 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 (Calera clone) & September 2 (Entav), 2023

Average TA/pH at Harvest:

Total Acid /3.50 pH at harvest

Fermentation Characteristics:

Destemmed to press and cold settled.

Cellar Storage/Aging:

100% barrel fermented, stirred weekly sur lie for 5 mo. No Malo-lactic fermentation, so it is crisply finished.

Varietal:

94% Viognier (50% each Calera and Entav clones) and 6% Chardonnay

Appellation:

75% Placer County, Damiano Vineyard, 14% Paso Robles, 5% Santa Barbara County, 6% Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Co **All sustainably farmed

Release Date:

April 26, 2024