The Vintage: For the Anderson Valley, 2010 was a splendid vintage. While atypical weather patterns resulted in an extraordinarily cool summer for much of the North Coast, the high ridges surrounding Anderson Valley provided protection from the extended summer fog. A cool and wet May gave way to a warm, but not-too-hot June and July. Veraison (color change) first appeared in Pinot noir in mid-August signaling a late harvest. Late harvests in Anderson Valley can be tremendously rewarding – when our vines complete their final stages of ripening in October, we are treated to an incredible intensity of flavor in the glass. We were fortunate to complete our last pick of Pinot noir on October 20th, before record setting rains began to fall. Our 2010 wines are a beautiful balance of concentration and elegance, and may well prove to be our finest wines yet.

Vineyards: A blend of clones from Ferrington Vineyard near the town of Boonville in the Anderson Valley Appellation

Harvest: September 23 and 29, at 23.7° Brix

Fermentation: Whole cluster pressing to tank and settled for 24 hours
Two-thirds fermented in neutral French oak barrels
One-third tank fermented in stainless steel
No malolactic fermentation permitted

Aging: Settled in tank and barrel for six months

Technical Notes: Alcohol: 13.1%, pH: 3.31, Total Acid: 6.9 g/L, Residual Sugar: 7.7 g/L

Cases Crafted: Six hundred and forty-eight cases bottled on April 26, 2011

Release Date: May 1, 2011

Winemaker’s Comments: The flower and spice aromatics of Gewürztraminer (Gewürz means spice in German) are always particularly intense in Ferrington Vineyard’s fruit. Exotic aromas of lemongrass, lychee, and freesia are complemented by more familiar notes of Granny Smith apple, lemon peel, and pear. Flavors of lemon, chamomile, and apple are carried by the refreshing acidity. We love to drink this wine all summer.
—Ryan Hodgins, Winemaker