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Transcript of Fiddlehead Wine Notes
F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S
WWW.FIDDLEHEADCELLARS .COM • 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVE, LOMPOC, CA 93436 • 800.251.1225 • [email protected]
SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED SAUVIGNON BLANC AND PINOT NOIR • Appreciate the Difference
Sta. Rita Hills2012 ‘728’ Bubbles
FIDDLESTIX Vineyard Pinot NoirSparkling Wine
KATHY’S CORNER
Fiddlehead is in a celebratory mood, and
with good reason. Our 2012 Blanc de
Noir, “728 Bubbles,” is ready for release!
A painstaking process three years in the
making, this year’s bottling marks our
4th vintage in our quest for to produce the
perfect sparkling wine from Sta. Rita Hills.
Made in the traditional style introduced
almost 400 years ago, this 100% Pinot
noir Blanc de Noir was made ‘méthode
champenoise’, which means those
delicious, tiny bubbles swirling through
your glass were made directly in that very
bottle. It’s a classic example of delayed
gratification, but well worth the wait.
Enjoy with Cheers!
Fiddlestix Vineyard Located in the cool climate of the Sta. Rita Hills, on
the east/west oriented Santa Rosa Road, at milemarker 7.28.
34 Unique blocks of Pinot noir, across 100 acresthat were first planted in 1998.
Sustainability is the guiding force, a practice thatextends from the vineyard to the winery.
Fiddlestix participates in formal SIP“Sustainability in Practice” certification.
The 2012 Vintage Always the first pick of our Fiddlestix vintage, we
choose to harvest the field during the earlymorning hours (always before dawn)…this year onAugust 28th (a full two weeks before the start ofour traditional Pinot noir harvest in 2012).
Early season tasting of the vineyard led us to 3distinct blocks representing early season balance,characterized as the richest and most vibrantlyexpressive Pinot noir in its youthful stage.
Picked “traditionally” with relatively low sugar andhigh acid so the resulting wine is elegantly fleet offoot and lively on your palate.
The Wine 100% Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot noir A mix of clones 4 (40%), 115 (37%) and 777 (23%) Delicately whole cluster pressed on the day of the
pick, tasting through each press fraction todetermine the perfect balance between bountifultartness and broad mouth-feel.
After aging for 12 months sur lie in 100% neutralFrench oak barrels, foregoing malolacticfermentation, this wine was aged an additional 24months en tirage for enhanced structure.Fermentation in the bottle successfully boasts tinybubbles and creamy mousse.
Hand-riddled and hand-disgorged Full of lively acid and piquant fruit flavors, this wine
exhibits reserved notes of zesty tangerine and tangyblack cherry on the nose, with creamy vanilla spice.A wonderful toasted yeasty sensation make this asparkling wine to savor as a cocktail or for anyoccasion.
pH = 3.15, Acid =10.66 g/L, Alcohol =12%
Limited Production: 114 cases bottled
F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S
WWW.FIDDLEHEADCELLARS.COM • 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVE, LOMPOC, CA 93436 • 800.251.1225 • [email protected]
SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED SAUVIGNON BLANC AND PINOT NOIR • Appreciate the Difference
Santa Ynez Valley
2012 Happy Ca nyonSauvignon Blanc
KATHY’S CORNER
The HAPPY CANYON designation on thislabel not only pays tribute to a unique AVA,but also signifies our signature style ofSauvignon Blanc at Fiddlehead. The place,Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA(achieved November 2009), is home to sixfounding vineyards planted 1996-2001, andis located on the eastern edge of the SantaYnez AVA. Soils are low in nutrients and are amixture of loam and clay loam with red andyellow chert and serpentine cobbles.Morning fog lifts to plentiful sunshine, and itis the ideal home to Bordeaux (includingSauvignon Blanc) and Rhone varietals. DuringProhibition, a simple alcohol was producedin Happy Canyon and legend has it thatfolks would “take a trip up Happy Canyon”to purchase the beverage…and the namestuck. In the Fiddlehead Portfolio, it is mymost versatile, richer-style Sauvignon Blanc,“with a French twist”. It marries fresh, ripefruit with creamy, silky textures, much like aPouilly Fumé style of the Loire Valley.It is non-grassy, and hence complements ahuge range of food flavors. As a crowdpleaser for many palates, it certainly lives upto its name!
With cheers! KJ
The Harvest: August 31st and September 1st, 2012
2012 Vintage Notes: In spite of what many vintnersdescribed as a long, late harvest, we were ecstatic thatour fruit ripened on a normal schedule with normalyields. Continuous monitoring of our vineyardsthroughout the growing season ensures we correctlyinterpret the best qualities of the Vintage.
The Vineyards: A seamless marriage of all 3 HappyCanyon sources: 63% Grassini Vineyard, 26% McGinleyVineyard and 11% Vogelzang Vineyard.
The Farming: Our per-acre contracts allow for a winery-vineyard partnership that readily benefits our place-driven wines. We are proud of the meticulous,sustainable farming that defines our Happy Canyonsources. The grapes are picked in the cool, earlymorning hours, hand-sorted in the vineyard and whole-cluster pressed to preserve freshness and delicacy in thefinished wine.
The Wine: Aromatics,
Flavor andTexture: ThisLoire Valley-inspired wine ismost noted for itslayers ofaromatics andlayers of texture.It flaunts a driedapricot perfume, with background hints of oregano andcoriander. There is a rich touch of vanilla spice that ismelded with Anjou pear and orange blossoms.Grapefruit and honey highlight a plush and lasting finish.A true cornucopia of flavor!
Winemaking: This supple and texturally rich wine showsthe beauty of the blend: 1/3 fermented in stainless steelfor aromatics and bright finish, 1/3 in new French oakbarrels for layers and creamy weight and the remaining1/3 from neutral French oak barrels for fruit tone andelegance. We further nurture our house style by agingthe barrel components nonmalolactic, sur lie for 9months in 100% Damy French oak. The grand finalepresents a mouth-filling, varietal expressioncomplemented by vibrant natural acidity.
pH= 3.25, Acid=6.12g/L
Production: 1306 casesbottled
F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S
WWW.FIDDLEHEADCELLARS.COM • 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVE, LOMPOC, CA 93436 • 800.251.1225 • [email protected]
SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED SAUVIGNON BLANC AND PINOT NOIR • Appreciate the Difference
Santa Ynez Valley
2014 GOOSEBURY
Sauvignon Blanc
KATHY’S CORNER
� Goosebury is one of those palate-catching beauties that struts out of our cellar with poise and flare. � Lit by the gleam of the waning moon, not to mention light trailers and headlamps, each pick began at 4am with me leading the charge in McGinley Vineyard. This crown jewel of the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA highlights the perfect pick moment. � For this select bottling, we focus on the exquisite purity of the grape. We look for showy fruit, perfect acidity and stand-alone success. It delights the palate with a perfect package that requires no manipulation, zero additions and reflects harmony in the glass. No oak influence, no skin contact, no extended maceration and no malolactic fermentation. Our tasting quest through the cellar looks for the most admired wine of the vintage… wine that is expressive with luscious, exotic aromatics and is balanced by a crisp, salivating finish. � This wine is a triumph of the vintage and a rare beauty; Goosebury always comes in small quantities, making it a special find and a limited bottling. With Cheers, Kathy
• The Harvest: August 14 & 19, 2014
• The 2014 Vintage Notes: Our earliest harvest to date (since 1998!), which was driven by early bud break, low
annual rainfall (less than 10 inches), and global warming. Summer and early fall temperatures were moderate and there were no significant heat spikes.
• The Vineyard: 100% McGinley Vineyard.
• The AVA: “Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara”. This bucolic
canyon is nestled within the eastern boundary of the Santa
Ynez Valley AVA, on the Los Padres side of Highway 154. Its cool, fog-laden evenings and warm daytime temperatures allow for the preservation of natural grape
acidity and favorably tame varietal expression away from ”herbaceousness”, enhancing mineral, fruit-based qualities.
• In the Field: By hand-sorting
through every cluster into half-
ton picking bins, we aim to retain only the finest, perfectly ripe clusters that are destined for
whole cluster pressing at the winery. Our by-the-acre contracts allow us to micro-farm our Fiddlehead dedicated rows
to our quality-driven specifications, and we pick in the wee hours of the morning to take
advantage of the coolest temperatures so picking is less invasive to the grapes’ fragile skins.
• The Wine: The beauty of this wine is its immediate and
captivating fragrance. Stone fruits, lemon and quince jump out of the glass. The weight and viscosity are impressive,
especially considering the absence of barrel contact. And the minerality finishes the wine clean, fresh and memorable.
• The Winemaking: Picked early for a low alcohol finish; whole cluster pressed; cold fermented in 100% stainless
steel; non-malolactic and selected for balance and purity as one of our premium Sauvignon blanc in the cellar.
• pH = 3.25, Acid =6.7g/L, Alcohol =13.0%
• Production: 318 cases bottled
F I D D L E H E A D C E L L AF I D D L E H E A D C E L L AF I D D L E H E A D C E L L AF I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S R S R S R S
WWW.FIDDLEHEADCELLARS.COM • 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVE, LOMPOC, CA 93436 • 800.251.1225 • [email protected]
SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED SAUVIGNON BLANC AND PINOT NOIR • Appreciate the Difference
Santa Ynez Valley
2002002002009999 HUNNYSUCKLEHUNNYSUCKLEHUNNYSUCKLEHUNNYSUCKLE
Sauvignon Blanc
KATHY’S CORNERKATHY’S CORNERKATHY’S CORNERKATHY’S CORNER
The Hunnysuckle name is deliberate; it
effectively describes both the textural “feel”
and aromatic fragrance of this very select
bottling of Sauvignon blanc. In Hunnysuckle,
we celebrate the luscious and velvety
expression reminiscent of the exquisite white
wines of Bordeaux.
Hunnysuckle is for those who crave
sophisticated white wine; it is for those who
appreciate and understand the European,
refined style of elegance and for those who
are foodies and expect more from their white
wine selections.
To achieve our target, this wine is barrel-
fermented and aged 9 months ”sur lies” . It
then demands 3-4 years of patient bottle
aging (prior to release) to appropriately marry
the “sweet” oak nuances with the
characteristic Sauvignon blanc minerality.
I invite you to enjoy the charm of this
particularly graceful offering. It’s a real treat
with poached eggs and spinach pasta.
With cheers!
TTTTHE VINEYARDSHE VINEYARDSHE VINEYARDSHE VINEYARDS & & & & THE VINTAGETHE VINTAGETHE VINTAGETHE VINTAGE
• Harvest Dates: August 31 and September 3, 2009
• Vineyards and Clonal Mix: 100% Sauvignon Blanc;
53% McGinley Vineyard, 18% Grassini Vineyard, 29%
Vogelzang Vineyard; 12% Musque clone and 88% clone 1.
• Weather and AVA: Following 2 successive frost years,
2009 enjoyed a relatively “normal” crop and frost-free season, with relatively low rainfall (averaging about 10.5 inches). All vineyards, located in the Happy
Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, at the most easterly boundary of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, cherish cool, fog-laden evenings partnered with warm sun-laden
days. The result is the retention of natural grape acid, which is so important to this wine’s longevity.
• Farming: Ripe clusters are harvested in the cool,
nighttime temperatures to retain the integrity of their delicate skins, while meticulous field-sorting selects for excellence to ensure only the highest quality grapes are retained....
TTTTHE WINEHE WINEHE WINEHE WINE
• Our wine of “Sideways” fame, which in the movie is
correctly and lovingly described for its layers of delicate spice, with little hints of clove, resulting from desirable, but costly,
aging in French oak. Ten months in the barrel and then years of bottle aging
prior to release.
• And not just any
oak, but the most refined kind: 3-year air-dried French oak, select tight grain staves, exclusively from the Damy cooperage.
• Aromatics entice with a wonderful, subtle bouquet of
mandarin zest, fennel, marzipan and vanilla spice.
• Non-malolactic, offering creamy richness without being
buttery in taste. Amazingly bright in acidity from its Happy Canyon AVA roots; its long, persistent finish is a treat to the palate.
• pH 3.21 / TA 6.63 / alc 14.1
• Only 147 cases bottled June 2010.
F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S
WWW.FIDDLEHEADCELLARS.COM • 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVE, LOMPOC, CA 93436 • 800.251.1225 • [email protected]
SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED SAUVIGNON BLANC AND PINOT NOIR • Appreciate the Difference
Sta. Rita Hills
2014 Pink Fiddle Rosé of Pinot Noir
KATHY’S CORNER
This flirty, dry Rosé of Pinot Noir delivers
something for everybody, anytime. Incredibly
versatile…it’s great for a sip, romantic toast or
warm weather excursion. Its stunning pink-
coral hue, dry finish and round textures make
it an easy pick. Unlike “ordinary” rosés, in
Pink Fiddle the entire Pinot noir grape is
dedicated to making this wine. Gentle
pressing imparts that classic Fiddlestix
Vineyard spice and pomegranate-cranberry
freshness. It’s simply delicious; no wonder the
French routinely incorporate “pink” into their
food and wine agenda. And now we have, too!
• Vintage: 100% 20Vintage: 100% 20Vintage: 100% 20Vintage: 100% 2011114444
• AVA: 100% Sta. Rita HillsAVA: 100% Sta. Rita HillsAVA: 100% Sta. Rita HillsAVA: 100% Sta. Rita Hills, Santa
Barbara County, Pinot-central!
• VineyardVineyardVineyardVineyard/Varietal/Varietal/Varietal/Varietal: 100% Fiddlestix: 100% Fiddlestix: 100% Fiddlestix: 100% Fiddlestix
Pinot NoirPinot NoirPinot NoirPinot Noir, Estate, Estate, Estate, Estate----ownedownedownedowned, known for low
yields, great color extraction,
concentration and spice layers.
• Clones:Clones:Clones:Clones: Dijon Dijon Dijon Dijon 115115115115 (9%) (9%) (9%) (9%), 113, 113, 113, 113 (48%), (48%), (48%), (48%),
777 (30%) 777 (30%) 777 (30%) 777 (30%) &&&& Pommard 4 (13%) Pommard 4 (13%) Pommard 4 (13%) Pommard 4 (13%)
• Harvest Date: Harvest Date: Harvest Date: Harvest Date: AugustAugustAugustAugust 15 15 15 15, 201, 201, 201, 2014444 Night
harvested, hand-picked, hand-sorted in
the Vineyard.
• Alcohol:Alcohol:Alcohol:Alcohol: 12.512.512.512.5%%%%
• Cases Produced: 3Cases Produced: 3Cases Produced: 3Cases Produced: 396969696
Is this a Is this a Is this a Is this a saignéesaignéesaignéesaignée (a (a (a (an earlyn earlyn earlyn early juice “bleed” from a red juice “bleed” from a red juice “bleed” from a red juice “bleed” from a red
wine fermentationwine fermentationwine fermentationwine fermentation with the intentwith the intentwith the intentwith the intention of concentraion of concentraion of concentraion of concentrating ting ting ting the red winethe red winethe red winethe red wine…where the pink is just an afte…where the pink is just an afte…where the pink is just an afte…where the pink is just an afterthoughtrthoughtrthoughtrthought))))? ? ? ?
Nope! That’s why it’s got so much character. The entire grape cluster is dedicated to this wine and we farm the grapevines exactly like our most expensive wines. The grapes are picked with the intention of making a delicate, flavorful pink wine with modest alcohol.
How doesHow doesHow doesHow does this R this R this R this Rosé get that great salmon osé get that great salmon osé get that great salmon osé get that great salmon color?color?color?color?
In most red grapes, the skins carry the anthocyanins that color the juice and wine. At Fiddlestix Vineyard, we pick when the grape skins are “flavor” and “color” ripe; then we remove the stems and allow 48 hours of juice contact with the skins and manually mix the vats 2x/day. The now colored juice (or free run) is transferred to tank and the skins (with trapped juice) are lightly pressed and combined in the tank. The juice is then cold fermented to dryness (ie with no residual sugar!).
How do you describe this wine?How do you describe this wine?How do you describe this wine?How do you describe this wine?
Expressive aromatics on the nose and abundant flavors on the palate. Aromatically you detect hints of red fruits, from raspberry to strawberry to cherry, along with delicious rhubarb notes and lingering all-spice throughout. Smooth, creaminess meets vibrant acidity and finishes with explosive minerality, all courtesy of our Vineyard located at mile marker 7.28. Think of this as another red wine for discriminating white drinkers!
When should we drink this wine?When should we drink this wine?When should we drink this wine?When should we drink this wine? Immediately and often! We release this wine just before Valentine’s Day, two months after bottling, in order to highlight its distinctive bouquet, which is best enjoyed when this wine is young and fresh.
Any food paAny food paAny food paAny food pairing recommendations? iring recommendations? iring recommendations? iring recommendations? Go French with bouillabaisse or Cajun with chicken andouille gumbo or Thai with some shrimp curry. Anything with a little spice loves Pink Fiddle!
Best thing about this wine? Best thing about this wine? Best thing about this wine? Best thing about this wine? Our annual release celebration, Pinkie’s Party, of course! Join us at the winery on the Saturday before Valentine’s Day when Pinkie makes her debut, with specially paired foods and an abundance of flowing Pink Fiddle.
F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S
WWW.FIDDLEHEADCELLARS.COM • 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVE, LOMPOC, CA 93436 • 800.251.1225 • INFO@FIDDLEHEADCELLARS .COM
SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED SAUVIGNON BLANC AND PINOT NOIR • Appreciate the Difference
Sta. Rita Hills
2011 Seven Twenty EightFIDDLESTIX Vineyard Pinot Noir
KATHY’S CORNER
The most admired wines reflect theirsense of place, their place of distinction,the place that creates their unique andunquestionable personality. Our 2011Seven Twenty Eight exemplifies what apleasure it is to see an ever-evolvingvineyard continue into maturity.
The classic hallmark of FiddlestixVineyard has always been the tangibleinterplay between the rich earth,punctuating bursts of black cherry fruitand dusty tannins. With each successiveyear, the vineyard continues to expandits alluring tasting aspects and holds onto its well defined sense of place. Withthe addition of our sustainable nurturingof the soil, we can’t help but get excitedabout the potential of our treasured 100acres of Pinot noir. .
Taste and you shall receive…Enjoy with Cheers!
THE ESTATE VINEYARD and THE VINTAGE Fiddlestix - located in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills on
Santa Rosa Road at mile marker 7.28. In our uniqueeast-west running valley, fog hovers over our vines untilmid-morning and then coastal breezes take over thedirect cooling influence. The soil is well-drained clayloam that imparts coveted spice, volume andconcentration in Fiddlestix wines.
34 unique blocks of Pinot noir, across 100 acres thatwere first planted in 1998; sustainability is the guidingforce, a practice that extends from the vineyard to thewinery. Fiddlestix participates in formal SIP“Sustainability in Practice” certification.
2011 was characterized by a very cool spring, whichresulted in some variability in yields. Freezingtemperatures during January and a valley-wide springfrost in April raised early season concerns amongst mostarea winemakers. Thankfully, Fiddlestix was protectedfrom any significant frost damage due to our sprinklersand wind machines. Cooler than usual summertemperatures followed, allowing for slower maturationthat resulted in increased depth and complexity in thegrapes. While picking commenced right on schedule themorning of September 10th, we finally finished onOctober 12th, more than a month’s span apart.
THE WINE Aged 16
months inour favoriteselectionsof tight-grainFrench Oak(35% new),this wine isa revelationof the delicate balance sought to reflect both the vineyardand the vintage. From the classic Fiddlestix cola spice to theabundance of black cherry and blackberry fruit, this isquintessential Pinot noir. With a silky strut brought alivethrough natural acidity and mouthwatering creaminessthroughout the palate, there is a brightness and a vivacitythat simply screams through your glass. Our commitment tobottle aging prior to release lends itself to the deliciousdrinkability of this wine.
A mixture of Pommard 4 & 5 and Dijon clones 113, 115,667 and 777. Each add their own unique characteristics ofalluring fruit and vibrant spice to truly make this a wine toboth savor and share.
pH = 3.47, Acid =5.85g/L, Alcohol =13.8%
Production: 1649 cases bottled
F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S
WWW.FIDDLEHEADCELLARS .COM • 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVE, LOMPOC, CA 93436 • 800.251.1225 • [email protected]
SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED SAUVIGNON BLANC AND PINOT NOIR • Appreciate the Difference
Sta. Rita Hills
2010 Seven Twenty EightFIDDLESTIX Vineyard Pinot Noir
KATHY’S CORNER
The most admired wines reflect theirsense of place, their place of distinction,the place that creates their unique andunquestionable personality. Our 2010Seven Twenty Eight exemplifies what apleasure it is to see an ever-evolvingvineyard continue into its maturity. Theclassic hallmark of Fiddlestix Vineyardhas always been the tangible interplaybetween the rich earth, that sensation ofdust and wood coming together to forman intense sense of place, and thepuncturing bursts of dark red fruit, yetwith each successive year the vineyardcontinues to add alluring tasting aspects.This year was no exception. Through thematuration process of the vineyard, asthe vines grow bolder in the clay thatpopulates the soil, and with thecontinued refinement of the constantcare and attention our vineyardmanagement team gives to the land, webetter understand what the potential forour 100 acres of Pinot noir truly is. Tasteand you shall receive!
THE ESTATE VINEYARD and THE VINTAGE
Fiddlestix - located in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills onSanta Rosa Road at mile marker 7.28. On the northside of a tight east-west running valley, fog hovers overour vines until mid-morning when afternoon breezestake over and hold temperatures below 75° F. The well-drained, clay loam soils are loaded with chirt andMonterey shale.
35 unique blocks of Pinot noir, across 100 acres firstplanted in 1998, are meticulously farmed withsustainability as the guiding force.
2010 possessed above average rainfall (28 inches) andcooler temperatures, prolonging the growing seasonwell into September to achieve one of our later harvestsat Fiddlestix. Beginning on September 25th, after a well-needed burst of heat a week before, each block washand-harvested and hand-sorted in the cool earlymorning hours. This 2AM rendezvous under tractor lightguarantees our extremely fragile fruit is picked duringthe coolest time of night.
THE WINE
A mixture of clones ensure diversity on the palate, includingPommard 4 (24%) and 5 (14%), and Dijon clones 667(22%), 777(21%), 113(13%), and 115(6%), each addingits own uniquepersonality.
Fermented insmall,open-topvats, allowing 2weeks of skincontact, and aged 16 months in our favorite selection oftight-grain French oak - 35% new (Rousseau, Bel Air,Cadus, Saury & Seguin Moreau). Held a minimum of anadditional two years in bottle to allow the Pinot charmto shine in all its glory!
2010 represents perhaps our most spice-intensive‘728’ yet. With a bouquet defined by the classicFiddlestix notes of black cherry and cola, along withhints of clove, nutmeg, and anise peppering the nosethroughout, this silky and seductive wine continues toevolve in your glass. Touches of raspberry andblackberry greet the taster, while notes of sassafras andvanilla finish the wine with a mouthwatering conclusion.It’s bright, vibrant and SEXY!
2673 cases bottled. pH-3.42, TA-6.36 g/100ml, alc-14.1%
F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S
WWW.FIDDLEHEADCELLARS.COM • 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVE, LOMPOC, CA 93436 • 800.251.1225 • [email protected]
SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED SAUVIGNON BLANC AND PINOT NOIR • Appreciate the Difference
Sta. Rita Hills
2010 Lollapalooza FIDDLESTIX Vineyard Pinot Noir
KATHY’S CORNER
Lollapalooza says it all! This English expression that suggests “wow” is defined as “the best of its kind”. Perry Farrell used it for his rock concerts and I was lucky enough to obtain the trademark for wine. It’s a good story. At Fiddlehead, I became an early believer in the cool climate corridor of the Santa Ynez Valley now known as the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. I invested in land on Santa Rosa Rd, in the heart of this awesome district. And now Fiddlestix Vineyard has grown up to support incredible Pinot noir vines that produce wines with charm and finesse year after year. But as good as the place is, and as good as our farming is, and as good as our marriage of clones, wines and barrels is, we know that by virtue of the changing vintage, some barrels are destined to have that glow, that silkier texture, that cut above elegance that cannot be predicted. We taste every barrel over and over to find those few barrels that deliver more. The search is almost as good as the wine. That’s our Lollapalooza!
Enjoy with Cheers!
The Estate Vineyard The Estate Vineyard The Estate Vineyard The Estate Vineyard –––– Fiddlestix Fiddlestix Fiddlestix Fiddlestix
• In our unique east-west running valley, fog hovers
over our vines until mid-morning and then coastal breezes take over the direct cooling influence. The soil is well-drained clay loam that imparts coveted
spice, volume and concentration in Fiddlestix wines.
• 35 Unique blocks of Pinot noir, across 100 acres
that were first planted in 1998; sustainability is the guiding force, a practice that extends from the
vineyard to the winery. Fiddlestix participates in formal SIP “Sustainability in Practice” certification.
The 2010 Vintage The 2010 Vintage The 2010 Vintage The 2010 Vintage
• One of our later harvests at Fiddlestix, beginning on September 25
th. Above average rainfall (28 inches)
and cooler temperatures prolonged the growing season. Each block was hand-harvested and hand-sorted in the cool, early morning hours. This 2AM
rendezvous guarantees protection
of our perfectly-ripe, extremely
fragile fruit.
The WineThe WineThe WineThe Wine:
• Our most
meticulous barrel selection, defined through multiple tastings and endless discussions. Aromatics of cinnamon and graham cracker burst forth from your glass, with fresh cherries and clove highlighting what
could be our most aromatically adventurous Lollapalooza yet. Creamy vanilla and allspice coexist in harmony with bright red fruits and seductive oak
tones. Smooth, reserved tannins give this wine a concentrated, yet subtle presence that persists well beyond the last taste.
• A combination of all six clones planted at Fiddlestix,
dominated by Dijon clones 667 and 113, and a healthy dose of 777. 15 months in the barrel (30%
New French Oak), followed by patient bottle aging prior to release, reward every sip!
• pH = 3.45, Acid =6.28g/L, Alcohol =14.1%
• Production: 287 cases bottled
F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S
WWW.FIDDLEHEADCELLARS .COM • 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVE, LOMPOC, CA 93436 • 800.251.1225 • [email protected]
SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED SAUVIGNON BLANC AND PINOT NOIR • Appreciate the Difference
Sta. Rita Hills
2011 Burtie BabyFIDDLESTIX Vineyard Pinot Noir
KATHY’S CORNER
This is our inaugural bottling of BurtieBaby. A very special selection of just 7barrels, hand-picked by the verydiscriminating palates of the Fiddleheadteam. This marriage of barrels was justaching to happen. The painting “Lucy’s500” by my sister, Jody Joseph, is thenewest addition to our collectable,artist series labels. Burtie Baby is myMom’s nickname for my Dad, whosesmile lit up every room and whosepresence brought joy to all. This wine is100% charming and promises to begood company and a treasured friend.
Enjoy with Joseph Family Cheers!
The Estate Vineyard
Fiddlestix embodiesthe importance ofplace - located in theheart of the Sta. RitaHills AVA on SantaRosa Road at milemarker 7.28.
The Estate Vineyard (continued) Located on the north side of a tight east-west
running valley, fog hovers over our vines until mid-morning when afternoon breezes take over andhold temperatures below 75°F. The well- drained,clay loam soils are loaded with chirt andMonterey shale. We are avidlycommitted to Certified SustainableWinegrowing, and the success of ourwines is directly tied to ourmeticulous, caretaker approach inthe vineyard.
The 2011 Vintage Notes 2011 was characterized by a very cool spring, and
severe frost on March 1 and April 8-9, killing manyyoung buds on grapevines in the Santa Ynez Valley.Fortunately Fiddlestix was spared! Our windmachines and sprinklers, along with our low-lyingposition in the Valley, secured our protected “sweetspot” in heart of the AVA.
There was significant rainfall (about 30.5 to 33.5inches cumulative 10/1/10 to 10/31/11) suggestingwe should have seen larger berries this season, butin fact we had nothing but very small, fist-sizeclusters and extremely small berries.
The Wine A most concentrated, juicy wine where dried
cranberries, with hints of currant and mint, highlightthe seductive aromatics. The essence of bakedcherry pie and cola spice escort your palate into asilky, sexy mouth feel. And lasting taste sensationsof cherries, plums and cinnamon are married withjust a touch of dried rosemary, all of which persist tothe last drop!
We put all of our Pinot noir clones to work:777(32%) + 113(15%) + 4(14%) + 667(14%) +5(13%) + 115(12%). Truly a unique representativeblend of Fiddlestix, with 16 individual blockscontributing to this special blend, all harvestedbetween September 10th and 27th.
pH = 3.49, Acid =5.58g/L, Alcohol =14.1%
Production:175 cases bottled
Food Match: Try it with grilled pork loin and a littleplum chutney.
F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S
WWW.FIDDLEHEADCELLARS.COM • 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVE, LOMPOC, CA 93436 • 800.251.1225 • [email protected]
SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED SAUVIGNON BLANC AND PINOT NOIR • Appreciate the Difference
Willamette Valley 2012 OLDSVILLE RESERVE
Oregon Pinot Noir
KATHY’S CORNER
This favorite Oregon bottling called “OLDSVILLE RESERVE” is named after the winery address, Oldsville Road in McMinnville, where I made my first 15 vintages of Oregon Pinot noir. Since 2003, I am able to take even better care of the fruit by processing the grapes at my own facility in Lompoc, CA. But I continue to commute to Oregon with frequency, so as to diligently work in concert with the vineyard owner and manager, David Nemarnik, and to customize all cultivation and vine-related decisions around each vintage. I am adamantly committed to on-site presence at harvest, specifically to field sort and guide picking strategy. The cool early morning fruit is gently layered into shallow grape bins and immediately loaded into a refrigerated truck for transportation to my Lompoc winery. The fruit arrives in superb condition and at ideal temperatures.
From vine to bottle…enjoy with Cheers!
THE VINEYARD and THE VINTAGE
• Pick Date: October 11, 2012
• AVA: 100% Alloro Vineyard, located in the North
Willamette Valley Chehalem Mts.
• Vineyard Source: The 78-acre Alloro Vineyard is our ‘Ace
in the Hole’, and our lone source of Oregon Pinot, by
choice! Planted in 1999, it is L.I.V.E. and I.O.B.C. Certified
Sustainable. It is situated on a southwest facing slope on
Laurel Ridge, perched at a 700-foot elevation. The
Laurelwood soil is comprised of decomposed volcanic
material below a top layer of ancient sedimentary soil.
Fiddlehead controls specific, choice blocks that are
meticulously farmed to our strict specifications.
• Vintage Notes: Uniformly excellent vintage with storybook
weather. A perfectly warm and completely dry growing
season kept disease away and pushed full ripeness without
sacrificing structure. With the more-than-usual heat and
sunshine, harvest commenced in early October without a
hitch, producing a generous wine, with fabulous target
acidity.
• Harvest Notes: Hand-harvested at “sun up”, picking a total
of 7.7 tons, including the Pommard clone (20%) and Dijon
clones 114 (21%), 777 (41%) and 115 (18%). Perfectly
chilled in route to CA
for processing.
THE WINE
• The fruit component
in 2012 is deliciously
generous without
being over the top
(and is a nice
departure from the
significantly leaner 2011’s). This wine is full of youth and
vigor, berries and spice, and was released just in time for
the vintage to shine. Vibrant with fresh cherry and
blackberry flavors and hints of forest-floor-herbs-and-
earth, the true beauty of this wine is in how well it attests
to its source.
• 100% de-stemmed (no whole cluster fermentation needed
here!) and fermented in small lots with significant whole
berry contribution. Delicately punched down twice daily,
with constant supervision. Aged 13 months in tight-grain
French oak, combining 35% new, with once and twice used
barrels, from 5 artisan cooperages. Prior to release,
additional age in the bottle ensures suppleness, delicacy
and unmistakable Pinot noir expression.
• pH = 3.53, Acid =6.04g/L, Alcohol =13.8%
• Production: 454 cases bottled
F I D D L E H E A D C E L L A R S
WWW.FIDDLEHEADCELLARS .COM • 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVE, LOMPOC, CA 93436 • 800.251.1225 • [email protected]
SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED SAUVIGNON BLANC AND PINOT NOIR • Appreciate the Difference
Santa Ynez Valley
22001133 SS wwee eettii eeSauvignon Blanc
KATHY’S CORNER
Sweetie is just that : an irresistible little
darling delight, fashioned as an easy-to-
love, lighter-style dessert wine. This wine is
all about balance and strives to tame the
“excessive” in too many dessert wines. It is
delightfully and subtly fragrant, surprisingly
light on the palate and wonderfully
concentrated without being heavy. If you
crave a little something sweet at the end of
a meal, then Sweetie is for you! Simply
delicious on its own, but also a treat with salty
blue cheese, fruit tarts or a silky crème brulée.
With end-of-the-meal cheers!
THE VINEYARD and THE VINTAGE
Harvest Date: September 17, 2013.
2013 Vintage Notes: With a significantly lower thanaverage rainfall, our grapes benefitted by displayingexceptional fruit concentration, mouthwatering roundnessand elevated varietal intensity.
Vineyard: 100% Vogelzang Vineyard, Block “D”. Clone 1,
The Farming: Our per-acre contract allows for a winery-vineyard partnership that readily benefits the finished wine.We are proud of the meticulous, flavor-driven, sustainablefarming that defines our Happy Canyon sources. Thegrapes are picked in the cool, early morning hours, hand-sorted in the vineyard and whole-cluster pressed topreserve freshness and delicacy in the finished wine.
The AVA: “Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara”. This bucoliccanyon is nestled within the eastern boundary of the SantaYnez Valley AVA, on the Los Padres side of Highway 154.Its cool, fog-laden evenings and warm daytimetemperatures allow for the preservation of the naturalgrape acidity while unwanted “green” flavors give way toenticing fruit-based layers.
THE WINE
Picked three weeks later than our dry-style Sauvignonblancs, the extended hang time translated into a moretropical expression without sacrificing the distinctive HappyCanyon minerality. Honey and marzipan highlight theprimary aromatics, with orange blossoms and roastedBartlett pears poking through as an afterthought.
Grapefruit and apricot flavors lead on the palate, while atouch of lemon zest and lively acidity create this wonderfulstand-alone dessert of “quiet intensity”… so delightfullylifted in its weight and perception!
After the grapes are whole-cluster pressed, the juice isfrozen, allowing us to maintain the sweetest fractionswithout forfeiting flavors and body. Cold fermented solelyin stainless steel to preserve the natural fragrance andbright acidity of the grape. It’s our modified version of “icewine”!
10.3% residual sugar, 12.9% alcohol, 3.23 H, 8.1 g/L TA
Only 85 cases (375 ml) produced.Serve well-chilled.