Great wines begin in the vineyard….
Our 40 acre vineyard is located in Suisun Valley, southeast of Napa Valley. Suisun Valley provides brisk afternoon breezes as well as soils and sites ideal for the culture of California wine varietals. Cool mornings give way to nurturing sunshine that ripen grapes perfectly. Ocean winds from the Pacific bring temperatures back down in the evening. Fog is rare in Suisun Valley because we are nestled in the George Mountain Range.
We hand prune and thin the vines two to three times per year to assure even ripening, which prevents vegetal off flavors. We only harvest at night, at the peak of ripeness, to assure wines that are rich and concentrated. Then we hand sort, again to heighten the quality of the fruit we use.
We grow seven varietals on our property. This results in a limited production, ultra premium wine experience. The resulting wines are truly beautiful and deliver luscious tastes to the palate with rich colors and long finishes.
A Year in the Vineyard
A Year in the Vineyard
Pruning
Winter pruning is an important part of the cultivation that takes place in the vineyard between January and mid-February. We determine the number and location of the buds that will form shoots in the coming growing season.
Bud Bursts
Bud bursts in Suisun Valley occur in the month of March. Buds swell and burst, growing into new shoots.
Bloom
Following bud burst, shoots grow rapidly in April until the vine flowers. The buds become the new season’s canes and flowers.
Flowering and Fruit Set
Fruit set occurs when a flower starts to develop into a grape in late April. This stage is critical to wine production, as it determines the potential crop yield.
Veraison
Veraison occurs about six to eight weeks after the fruit has set, typically in early July, and begins the fruit ripening process. The grape’s skin changes color: black varieties turn red then purple, whereas white varieties become translucent and golden.
Maturity
Between Veraison and harvest, grapes swell and fill with water. During ripening, grape sugar levels rise and acid levels drop.
Harvest
Harvest is one of the most crucial steps in the winemaking process and is determined primarily by the ripeness of the grape. In California, harvest typically occurs between August and November.