Citrine Chardonnay 2020

Citrine is a gemstone of yellow quartz, and the wine is a delicious synergy of golden California sunshine and gentle minerality. 2020 is a composite of the 4 organically farmed vineyards John works with, on average 40 year old vines. Though geographically distant, the synergy of soils creates a balanced and layered wine that is ready to drink right now and guaranteed to make your mouth happy. 2020 was picked earlier than ever before.

Vineyards:
Rorick Heritage – “Own-rooted”, Sierra Foothills, limestone & schist
Haynes – Napa Valley, alluvial gravel & volcanic ash
Heron Lake – Wild Horse Valley, quartz & mixed volcanic
Watson Ranch – Napa Valley, calcareous clay over limestone

Winemaking:
The grapes were whole cluster pressed and lightly settled. The juice was fermented with native yeast in large 500L neutral oak puncheons and underwent full native ML fermentation. The wine was aged on lees for 11 months - bottled un-fined and unfiltered, with nothing added but minimal effective SO2.

650 cases produced
12.8% Alc.
3.43 pH

Haynes Old Vine Chardonnay

Old vines. Planted in 1966. The oldest Chardonnay in Napa county. Deep alluvial top soil, volcanic ash in the sub-soil (similar to limestone). 400 liter puncheons, not Burgundy barrels.

Watson Ranch Chardonnay

#1 Chardonnay Vineyard that John has been trying to get into until then it was just farmed by Arnot Roberts, located south of Napa on the hills sides right off the bay. Its extremely coastal, and the coolest of all Napa Valley Chardonnay. It sits on pure limestone right by the quarry that provided cement to rebuild San Francisco after the Earthquake.

Fermented in 500l puncheon,
10% New Wood 6 months
Racked to Stainless for 4 months and then bottled.
60 cs

Heron Lake Vineyard Chardonnay

Vineyard:
Despite its location just miles from downtown Napa, few sites are as isolated and unique as Wild Horse Valley. Perched at the southern tip of the Vaca Mountains where they hit San Pablo Bay, the combination of cool, coastal climate and mixed volcanic rocky soil produces wines with a bold combination of freshness, intensity, and delicate structure that no other vineyard in California can quite replicate. Estate farmed, organic.

Winemaking:
The grapes were gently whole cluster pressed and lightly settled. The juice was fermented with native yeast in 500L neutral oak puncheons and underwent full native ML fermentation. The wine was aged on lees for 11 months - bottled un-fined and unfiltered, with nothing added but minimal effective SO2.

“Heron Lake is a naturally powerful site. Gentle winemaking brings a level of finesse and refinement to this site without losing the intensity... the "wow" that makes this vineyard so special." - John Lockwood

600 Bottles Produced
12.8% Alc.; 3.31 pH

Jurassic Chenin Blanc

Vineyard:
Planted in 1982, the sustainably farmed Jurassic Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley is situated on rolling hills at an elevation of approximately 1,100 feet. The vineyard takes its name from the site’s fossil-rich soils. These well-drained, limestone-laden sandy soils produce small vines and clusters. Jurassic's own-rooted chenin blanc vines produce a beautifully textured wine with abundant minerality and exotic fruit.

Heron Lake Pinot Noir

Vineyard:
Perched on a rocky outpost high above the city of Napa, Heron Lake catches the cool breeze coming off San Pablo bay as it rises up into the Vaca Mountains. The vines are planted in extremely shallow volcanic soils, where formations of quartz, granite and feldspar frequently rise to within just a few inches of the surface. The intersection of this coastal climate and rugged soil profile creates wines that express a daring combination of freshness, acidity, depth and texture, along with the vineyard’s signature chunky “white quartz” minerality.

Heron Lake is farmed organically under the watchful eye of David Mahaffey who has managed the site since it was first planted in 1980. David was the first person to hire John in the wine business and has been a friend and mentor ever since.

Winemaking:
50% whole cluster. In open top fermenters, the grapes were gently foot tread or punched down once a day during a native yeast fermentation. The free run was drained after 14 days and aged for 11 months in neutral 500L French oak puncheons. The wine was bottled un-fined & unfiltered with nothing added but minimal effective SO2.

1,800 Bottles Produced
12.8% Alc.

Pretty Horses Tempranillo Blend

John is really interested in Tempranillo’s potential in California. 2011 was his first vintage. His winemaking has evolved since then. First made it in more of a Bordeaux style (Shake Ridge bottling) now it's more of a Burgundian vinification. With Pretty Horses, he is aiming to give Tempranillo a softer expression. Adding Graciano to give more acidity. (Rioja, Lopez de Heredia style)

2018 Pretty Horses
California - 75% Tempranillo / 10% Garnacha / 10% Pinot Noir / 5% Graciano
500 Cs Produced 13.2% Alc. 75% Whole Cluster

Vineyards:
Rorick Heritage Vineyard, Shake Ridge Ranch, Heron Lake Vineyard (They farm organic, if not in conversion) Other producers of relevancy that make wines from these vineyards in CA are: Forlorn Hope, Dirty & Rowdy, Cruse, Jolie Laide

Winemaking:
The grapes were partially de-stemmed into open top fermenters where the grapes were gently foot tread or punched down no more than once a day during a native yeast fermentation. The wine was aged for 11 months in a combination of 500L and 225L French oak barrels, including 10% new.

Notes:
2018 was the first year including a little Grenache – a traditional blending grape in Rioja. Tempranillo still provides the architecture, with precise dark fruit, sweetly spiced aromatics and a touch of earthiness. Grenache and Pinot provide soft fruit and a more generous palate, and the Graciano provides brightness.

Winemaking:
2/3rd whole cluster; open top fermenters where grapes are gently foot tread no more than once a day. Native fermentation. Early pressing prior to dryness. 10-12 day maceration. Aged 12 months in combo 500L puncheons and 225L oak barrels including 15% American Oak.

The name “Pretty Horses” is named after All the Pretty Horses, a novel by American author Cormac McCarthy.

Tempranillo Shake Ridge Vineyard

AMADOR COUNTY AVA
Shake Ridge has perhaps best been described as a small village of vineyards rather than one contiguous site. Planted throughout 40 acres of rolling hills, each little parcel has a different slope, aspect and soil profile creating many different microclimates within the same vineyard.

The Tempranillo comes from a young block of head trained vines planted at an elevation of 1800 feet on a northern facing slope that softens the direct afternoon sun. The densely rocky soil contains a mixture blue schist and quartz, bringing a deep brooding stoniness to the wine, while the warm days and cool nights protect the freshness and juiciness of the fruit.

Shake Ridge Vineyard is a labor of love for Ann Kraemer and her family. Once a prominent viticulturist in Napa, Ann turned to the mountains when it came time to plant her own property. She lives on the vineyard full time and is one of the most talented and dedicated growers with whom we work.

Stained Glass Grenache Blend

40% Grenache, 35% Carignan, 25% Tempranillo
Whole cluster fermentation with some natural carbonic because, as John described "the bin was too dense to make any progress treading by foot."
Only 50 cases produced.

2019 XB 05 Old Vine Mourvèdre

Mourvèdre has a long history in California. It thrives in California's sunny climate and was commonly planted in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Note: XB stands for “eXperimental Batch.” Each vintage John does an exploratory cuvée, 05 refers to the 5th XB.

Vineyards:
60% Enz Vineyard (San Benito County) - planted around 1923 in decomposed limestone and granite.
40% Del Barba Vineyard (Contra Costa County) - planted around 1910 in the deep sand.

Winemaking:
The vineyards were fermented separately, 100% whole cluster in small open top fermenters. They were gently foot tread once a day during native yeast fermentations and aged for 11 months in neutral 500L puncheons. Blended at bottling, the wine was bottled un-fined and unfiltered with nothing added but minimal effective SO2.

“While most often made in a bold style - Mourvèdre is also capable of producing wines of delicacy and precision. By blending these 2 sites I wanted to capture both sides of that coin. Del Barba brings juiciness, depth, and the soft purity of deep sand. Enz brings energy, vibrant aromatics, and structure.“ - John Lockwood

840 bottles produced.
13.3% Alc.

2020 Abba Vineyard Grenache

Vineyard:
The Abbas have been farming in Lodi since the 1940's, and Phil Abba is as meticulous and dedicated as they come. Grenache thrives in their deep sandy loam soils, producing wines of uncommon elegance and purity of fruit.

Winemaking:
The grapes were divided, 1⁄2 destemmed and 1⁄2 left whole cluster. In open top fermenters, the grapes were gently foot tread or punched down once a day during a 12-day native yeast fermentation. The wine was aged for 11 months in neutral 500L French oak puncheons and bottled un-fined & unfiltered with nothing added but minimal effective SO2.

“Whatever your think you know about Lodi - forget it. This wine is among the most delicious wines we have ever bottled... full stop. It is elegant, pure, and fresh. It is low alcohol, juicy and floral, with just the right amount of whole cluster spice. It is pale in color, but energetic and satisfying on the palate with near perfect tannins on the finish.” - John Lockwood

1,900 Bottles Produced
12.7% Alc.

Waterhorse Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - Fort Ross, Sonoma Coast

Most of what was grown out there was Bordeaux varietals. Post-Sideways, Marcassin, and Hirsch, they started planting Pinot Noir instead of Cab.

Jesus and Patricia’s two acre vineyard was planted in 1999 on drought resistant rootstock in medium depth mixed loam and volcanic soils to a field blend of approximately 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Planted above the fog line; extra two weeks of hang time. The same combination of cool ocean air and plentiful sunshine that has created some of California’s most balanced Pinot Noirs, has proven that it can ripen the Bordeaux varietals if planted in just the right spot. The mild and extended growing season allows the grapes to reach a deep maturity of color and flavor at lower alcohol levels, while maintaining a natural acidity that will keep this wine fresh for years and years, reflecting back to a classic era of California Cabernet.

Jesus and Patricia do all of the farming by hand at this tiny property. They farm organically and it's dry farmed. John thinks it's one of the best farmed vineyards he has ever seen. Jesus worked on the Flowers crew.

Winemaking:
10-20% whole cluster. 2016 has about 10% new wood.

2019 Hennessey Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley AVA; Estate Farmed - “No Spray” Beyond Organic. 1,200 Ft. Elevation Franciscan Shale

Napa Valley AVA
On a southwest-facing ridge of the Vaca Mountain range and high above its namesake lake, Hennessey Ridge vineyard enjoys high elevation sunshine and late afternoon heat. Surrounded by mature oaks with views towards Pritchard Hill and Howell Mountain, this is rocky and rugged terrain that shapes the east side of Napa Valley. It is traditionally a hotter climate, sitting above the fog line, which reduces disease pressure and produces smaller, intensely flavored fruit.
Elevation: 1160 feet; Soil: Sobrante loam on Franciscan bedrock

Viticulture:
Farmed by John, starting in 2016. One acre right off of Lake Hennessy. Zero chemicals pure organic farming, dialed in handwork. In deficit irrigation, John alternates between dry farming and irrigating.

Vinification:
Full de-stemmed, No new wood. No pumpover or punchdownn, just rolled once a day with his hands, as soft as possible. The grapes were de-stemmed into an open top bin where they were mixed by hand twice a day during a 20-day native yeast fermentation. The wine was aged on lees for 11 months in once-used French oak barrels and bottled un-fined & unfiltered with nothing added but minimal effective SO2.

“A rough cut gem, Hennessey Ridge is a true classically styled Napa Cabernet that eschews excessive new oak and other concentrating techniques. Its power comes from the naturally low yields and deep flavors of mountain fruit, its finesse from delicate handling in the cellar. It stands on its own, as pure an expression of Napa Cabernet as exists today. - John Lockwood

900 Bottles Produced
100% Destemmed
13.2% Alc.

Syrah Haynes Vineyard Napa Valley

Climb the old oak tree in the middle of the Haynes Vineyard and you have a direct line of sight across San Pablo Bay to Mt. Tamalpais on the other side. On cool mornings the marine level sinks down into the Coombsville Bowl and doesn’t break up until the afternoon, creating the mildest growing season in the Napa Valley. The vines are planted in deep, alluvial,cobblestone soil ideal for root penetration. Below the topsoil a layer of powdery, white volcanic ash stores tiny amounts of moisture allowing the fruit to maintain tremendous acidity and develop an elegant and refined tannin structure. Haynes produces classic, age-worthy wines of fruit and minerality.

The Haynes Vineyard is farmed by Fernando Delgado, who has farmed and lived on the property continuously since 1971. Few farmers anywhere have more experience with one plot of land than Ferndando has with Haynes.

Winemaking:
100% whole cluster; 2 neutral puncheons.