VINEYARD

Situated in the heart of the Sonoma Valley lies the Steel Plow Vineyard, an eleven-acre parcel planted exclusively to Rhone varieties. The name pays homage to founder Damaris Deere’s great-grandfather John Deere, the inventor of the steel plow. Rhone varieties such as Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are a natural fit for this site given the long, warm, and extended growing season. No detail was spared in the establishing this vineyard; by consulting with Phil Coturri, they were able to import all the budwood for this vineyard from the famed Chateau-Beaucastle in France. Also, all farming practices remain organic, with an eye for sustainability and exceptional quality. Wines from this vineyard are known for boasting vibrant palates, along with aromas of dried and fresh red fruits. Our Mourvèdre is no exception.

VINTAGE CONDITIONS

The 2019 growing season was marked by a wet start, with rainfall early in the year ensuring the soil stayed moist. The summer started warm and remained so for months afterward, allowing for very balanced and healthy vine development, a good flowering-fruit set, average volumes, and great quality. As the season developed, temperatures became milder, which meant we were able to increase hang-time so the fruit could develop flavor and structure without compromising freshness and tension. 2019 promises to be amazing vintage.

VINIFICATION

After picking at night using 40lb bins, we put whole bunches into a French Oak 20HL wooden vat. The vat was saturated with CO2 for two weeks, and never opened during this time. This technique, known as “carbonic maceration,” encourages the development of explosive red fruit characters. Once we reopened the vat, we were surprised to find the fruit integrity remained excellent. We decided to destem the bunches and crush the berries, before returning the fruit to the vat and proceeding with a 10-day fermentation and maceration. After pressing the wine, it was transferred to older oak barrels, where it underwent malolactic fermentation and aged 8 months before being bottled in July 2020 to retain its joyful character.