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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.
2 Days shy of 1 Full Year from Harvest to Bottle (363 Days) - the Bourbon Barrel Project was a 400L surprise. The 2 Barrels - from producer Cyrus Noble in Kentucky - proved to impart lovely Vanillin compounds from the American Oak while playing kindly to the char level within the barrel that boosts caramel sensations (more perceived sweetness). In the early stages of Elevage, the barrels were quite “thirsty” and required plenty of topping. They proved to be leaky as well ; which made the focus on topping all that more important - and evidence can be seen today on the Winery floor of the leaks.
When first sampled at the Schatz Winery Grand Opening June 4th / 2023 - it was clear this wine was going to be a delicacy.
Word quickly spread through the patrons and eventually, winemaker Derek Barnett had amassed a deep crowd of folks looking to try some of this fabled wine they had just heard about!
Looking at upcoming Vintages, Bourbon Barrel aging is going to be a staple as the end result can speak for itself!
