2020 “Rusty” Petite Pearl

This cool climate plant was introduced in 2009-10 and is extremely productive on our blue clay in the North Block of the West Vineyard. With a cold hardiness backbone allowing it to withstand up to (-30'c), these plants generally have bud break later in the spring saving it from potential frost. Generally, there is moderate to low levels of foliage here which allows the small dense clusters to get maximum sunlight to ripen and translate to pleasant tannins later during production. Year in and year out, the dark condensed berry clusters are the last to be harvested at our Farm but first to be put into Oak - AND first to stain with it's miraculously powerful anthocyanins.

Rows 25 - 33 of the Petite Pearl (Back) were planted in 2017. There are 450 plants. Rows 1 - 25 of Petite Pearl (Front) consisting of 1250 plants, were planted in 2016. Each block are trained in the High Wire Cordon Trellis System.

When initially put into Oak in 2019 we earmarked 4 Oak Barrels exclusively with Schatz Petite Pearl. We dedicated them to sit and age further to develop intricate characteristics within their Oak Barrels. This Wine grew with us. It celebrated the highs and the lows spanning 1000+ days and truly is a representation of Time Well Spent.