2022 Fall Release Tech Sheets
2022 Les Lunes Searby Macerated Chardonnay
Overview
We got the opportunity to lease the Searby Vineyard in 2022. These 40 year old organic, dry-farmed, and no till Chardonnay vines offer a ton of potential. It is a historic site with a (still working) drainage system built by the WPA during the great depression. Second growth redwoods line this coastal vineyard and its incredibly cool climate lends wines of amazing depth and freshness. We strive for a style that is powerful, yet refreshing and drinkable and certainly never oaky or buttery.
Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Production: 443 cases
Soils:
The Searby Vineyard rests deep in West Sonoma County near the town of Occidental. The soils are Goldrige Sandy Loam, which are deep and well drained and are formed from material weathered from weakly consolidated sandstone. The texture of these soils and the vineyard’s location lends itself well to dry-farming. The vines were planted in the late 1970’s, making them almost 50 years old.
Farming:
Les Lunes manages and performs all aspects of farming at the Searby Vineyard. In spite of challenging growing conditions, we work 100% organically. The vineyard is completely dry-farmed with no irrigation and we practice no till farming as well. As a result, the soils and surrounding areas are beaming with life. A section of the vineyard is planted to a Chardonnay Musqué clone, giving incredible depth and aromatic character to the grapes.
Vinification
The vineyard is hand-harvested over the course of 4 days and the fresh grapes are pressed directly. The juice settled overnight and fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in a combination of stainless and HDPE tanks with zero oak aging to preserve freshness and fruit character. After 7 months, the wine was racked for bottling and 18 ppm sulfur was added..
Tasting Notes
Incredibly powerful and rich, yet still bright and fresh, these paradoxical qualities define this wine. Loads of citrus and apple fruit on the nose are accentuated with aromatic tropical fruit. On the palate, the wine is dense and full without being overbearing and has a long and fresh finish.
Alcohol: 12.5%
2022 Populis Reverseé
Overview:
Populis was born from the desire to make lighthearted, naturally made, extremely drinkable wines from organically farmed, historic vineyard sites throughout Northern California.
Varieties: 65% Zinfandel, 30% Carignane, 5% Pinot noir
Production: 899 cases
Vineyards:
Carignane, Venturi Vineyard, Mendocino, CA (Carignane)
Hawkeye Ranch, Redwood Valley AVA Mendocino, CA (Carignane & Pinot noir)
Dogali Vineyard, Redwood Valley AVA, Mendocino, CA (Zinfandel)
Lolonis Vineyard, Redwood Valley AVA, Mendocino CA (Zinfandel)
Soils:
Venturi Vineyard is located just north of Ukiah, in the Calpella Valley, on predominantly Pinole gravelly loam soils. These highly regarded soils contain a mixture of sandstone, shale and quartz formed from alluvial flows. Redwood Valley is near Ukiah in Mendocino County and has similar gravelly-loam soils. However, this valley rests at a higher elevation and nearer the mountains, making it a cooler climate than Ukiah.
Farming:
Larry Venturi is a 3rd generation farmer tending to these 70 year old Carignane vines planted on his family's historic site in Calpella (Ukiah). Peter Johnson and his family have been farming grapes and pears in Mendocino County for 4 generations. Gary Dogali’s father planted his old-vine field blend Zinfandel back in the 1940’s. The Lolonis vineyard was established in the 1920’s and these Zinfandel vines were also planted in the 1940s. All the vineyards are organic and dry-farmed.
Vinification:
Each variety was fermented separately and then blended prior to bottling. The Carignane from Venturi Vineyard and Hawkeye Ranch underwent 7 days of carbonic maceration before being destemmed and fermented to dryness. The Zinfandel that came from Dogali Vineyard was macerated for 5 days before pressing. For the Lolonis vineyard Zinfandel, two thirds was pressed as rose and the remaining third was destemmed and the two were co-fermented together. The components were raised in Flextanks and blended after 6 months of aging. 18 ppm of sulfur was added just prior to bottling.
Tasting Notes:
This wine is a quintessential bistro wine. There are loads of bright and juicy red fruit on the nose and mouth. Plenty of acid on the attack and a touch of structure on the finish keeps this wine taut and oh so drinkable. This wine style is delicious with lighter meals, or straight out of the bottle with a slight chill.
Alcohol: 12.5% v/v
2022 Populis Wabi Sabi Red
Overview:
Populis was born from the desire to make lighthearted, naturally made, extremely drinkable wines from organically farmed, historic vineyard sites throughout Northern California.
Varieties: Zinfandel (35%), Carignane (30%), Grenache noir (20%), Sangiovese (10%), & Counoise (5%)
Production: 1151 cases
Vineyards:
Hawkeye Ranch, Redwood Valley, Mendocino County (Carignane)
Venturi Vineyard, Mendocino County (Carignane & Zinfandel)
Lolonis Vineyard, Redwood Valley AVA, Mendocino CA (Zinfandel)
Marcheschi Vineyard, Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma, CA (Sangiovese & Zinfandel)
Hannah Nicole Vineyard, San Francisco Bay AVA, Contra Costa, CA (Grenache noir)
Fernow Vineyard, Lodi, CA (Counoise)
Farming:
All the farming is performed strictly according to organic principles and the utmost of care and respect is paid to the local environment.
2022 Vintage Conditions: A cold spring delayed budbreak in vineyards throughout California. The summer was mild and dry, with cool conditions during flowering, giving a poor fruit-set and low yields. We experienced a big heat-wave in early September. Paradoxically, this had a delaying effect on the ripening, as the vines shut down photosynthesis for a period to preserve their water supplies. As a result, we were harvesting these grapes in late September and early October. This created the ideal conditions to achieve full ripeness in the grapes while still retaining low alcohols and bright, fresh acidity.
Vinification:
The Zinfandel and Carignane from Venturi Vineyard was destemmed and fermented separately with 14 days each on the skins. Carignane from Hawkeye Ranch underwent 7 days of Carbonic Maceration before being destemmed and macerated an additional 10 days until dry. Zinfandel from Lolonis Vineyard was fermented with 25% whole clusters for 14 days and pressed at dryness. Sangiovese and Zinfandel from the Marcheschi Vineyard were destemmed and co-fermented for 16 days and pressed when dry. The Fernow Counoise was macerated for 5 days on the skins, pressed early and allowed to finish fermenting in flextanks. The wines were aged in primarily 300 gallon flextanks and a portion in neutral French oak barrels. The wines were blended in June, 2023 with 18ppm SO2 added and bottled in July 2023.
Tasting Notes:
The delayed harvest allowed us to make a riper version of our Wabi-Sabi Red while still maintaining great freshness and acidity. Deep notes of dark, red fruit and spice mark the nose, while a dense mouthfeel and luscious tannins define the palate. One of our favorite editions of the Wabi-Sabi red, it strikes a great balance of finesse, power and freshness.
Alcohol: 12.5% v/v
2022 Populis White Wine Blend
Overview:
Populis was born from the desire to make lighthearted, naturally made, extremely drinkable wines from organically farmed, historic vineyard sites throughout Northern California.
Varieties: Sauvignon blanc (40%) Chardonnay (35%), Albariño (15%), Orange Muscat (7%), & French Colombard (3%)
Production: 775 cases
Vineyards:
Il Mio Vigneto Vineyard, Clement Hills AVA, Lodi, CA (Sauvignon blanc)
Lolonis Vineyard, Redwood Valley AVA, Mendocino CA (Chardonnay)
Searby Vineyard, Sonoma Coast AVA, Sonoma, CA (Chardonnay)
Vista Luna Vineyard, Borden Ranch AVA, Lodi, CA (Albariño)
Hartwick Vineyard, Mokelumne River AVA, Lodi, CA (Orange Muscat)
Inland Vineyard, Redwood Valley AVA Mendocino County, CA (French Colombard)
Soils:
From glacial alluvial deposits (Vista Luna) to volcanic uplifts (Il Mio Vigneto), the soils throughout Lodi can be incredibly variable. The hot days bring great phenological ripening conditions, while the Delta breeze cools the vines drastically in the evening, preserving freshness. Searby vineyard is planted on Goldridge soils, which are composed of decomposed sandstone and are well suited to dry-farming. The soils throughout Redwood Valley and the Ukiah/Calpella area are based on sedimentary erosion from eons of glaciers and rainfall in these regions. The proportions of sand, silt and clay vary depending on the site and these variations can have a big impact on the mouthfeel and acid profile of the wines. A blend like the Populis white benefits from this heterogeneity as it gives the wine many layers of flavors and textures.
Farming:
All the farming is performed strictly according to organic principles and the utmost of care and respect is paid to the local environment.
Vinification:
All of the components were pressed directly and fermented in stainless steel tanks, except for the Orange Muscat, which saw 5 days of maceration before pressing. The components then aged in either Flextanks or stainless steel for 6 months before blending and 18 ppm SO2 was added at that time.
Tasting Notes:
A Cheverny-inspired blend, the mouthfeel is characterized by fresh acidity, while the aromas and flavors strike a balance between greenness and riper opulence, resulting in a style that is uniquely Californian, yet with an old-world approach. The variability of soil types give this wine an additional dimension of depth and complexity. The minimalistic approach in the cellar produces a wine that is highly drinkable and digestible.
Alcohol: 12.5% v/v
2022 Les Lunes Lolonis Chardonnay
Overview:
This is our 2nd vintage working with Lolonis Vineyard. The site is drenched in history, as it hasbeen in grape production since the late 19th century and there are even vines dating back to theearly 1920’s that are still producing! This fresh take on CA Chardonnay really shows the breadthof what Redwood Valley in Mendocino County has to offer.
Varieties:100% Chardonnay
Production: 47 cases
Soils:
The Lolonis Vineyard is in Redwood Valley, just north of Ukiah, on predominantly Redvine sandy loam soils. The sandier soils give this wine an incredible focus with its flavors, aromas, and acidity.
Farming:
The same family has owned and farmed Lolonis Vineyard for generations. Like many in the valley, they have been farming organically and properly stewarding their land since the vineyard was planted. These specific vines were planted back in the early 1970’s.
Vinification:
The Chardonnay was entirely hand harvested and whole clusters were pressed and allowed to ferment using only indigenous yeast and bacteria. The wine fermented in a stainless steel tank. At dryness it was racked into two neutral French Oak barrels and aged on it’s fine lees. 18ppm SO2 was added to the wine prior to its gentle bottling in July of 2023.
Tasting Notes:
Focus and precision define this wine. Loads of bright citrus and green apple fruit dominate the nose, while a bright, fresh and clean acidity drive the mouthfeel. The tension and minerality will allow the wine to age gracefully, but the wine is drinking great now and would pair beautifully with mountain trout or a simple roast chicken.
Alcohol: 12.0%
2022 Les Lunes Carignane
Overview:
Amazingly well suited to California's moderate Mediterranean climate, historic plantings of Carignane remain throughout the state and produce age worthy wines of beauty, elegance and character. Hailing from two historic sites in Mendocino County, our Carignane was made to capture the delicate intricacies and complexity that only come from working with old vine vineyards. This wine is true to the variety and not made with a heavy hand. It is light as a feather, but with ample structure and a beautiful lingering acidity.
Variety: Carignane (100%)
Production: 207 cases
Vineyards: Arnold’s Block and Venturi Vineyard
Soils:
Arnold’s Block and Venturi Vineyard are both located just outside of Ukiah and are grown on predominantly Pinole gravelly loam soils. Containing a mixture of sandstone, shale and quartz, these deep, well drained soils were formed from alluvial flows, depositing fist-sized stones along the way. Highly deficient in organic matter, the moderately acidic soil pH allows for optimal nutrient uptake to allow the vines to thrive. Pinole soils are some of the most sought-after soil types in Mendocino County.
Farming:
Farming across both vineyards is 100% organic. The Arnold’s Block vineyard resides on tribal land belonging to the Hopland Band of the Pomo Nation. The vineyard is head trained and has been dry farmed since inception. The vines at Venturi Vineyard are also head trained and dry farmed. Both vineyards were planted in 1948 and constitute some of the oldest remaining vines in Mendocino County.
Vinification:
The grapes from each vineyard were fermented separately but with similar treatments. 25% whole clusters were lightly foot tread in the fermenter upon fruit arrival and 75% destemmed fruit was placed on top of the whole clusters. No sulfur was added prior to the 100% indigenous fermentation. Once a day gentle punchdowns were performed throughout the moderately warm (22-25C) fermentation. The wines were pressed after 14 days of maceration. Each was raised in neutral60 gallon (225L) French oak barrels for 10 months. Blending and bottling occurred in July 2023.18ppm of sulfur was added to prevent oxidation during bottling.
Alcohol: 12.5%