A Wine that Wraps Bright Berries in Silk...

2007 Dutton Ranch-Shop Block Pinot Blanc

THE VINEYARD
When Warren Dutton purchased their original ranch in 1964, French Colombard, Gray Riesling and Rome apples were planted at the site; in the mid-1970s, more French Colombard replaced the Riesling and apples. This is a wonderful spot for cold loving white grapes, situated in the valley of Purrington Creek, a tributary of Green Valley Creek, where the cold coastal air lingers through the mornings and produces fruit of great acid balance and flavor concentration, while the deep but well drained Goldridge sandy loam soil grows healthy, balanced vines. When it was time to finally replant this block in 2003, the Duttons decided to try a bit of Pinot Blanc to augment the killer Chardonnay adjacent to this spot. Another native of Burgundy, and a white skinned cousin of Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc is prized for its fresh stone fruit flavors and cleansing mouthfeel. While the young vines were irrigated to get them started, the vineyard is now completely dry farmed. As a special little treat to our best friends, DG is vinifying just a small amount of this mouthwateringly fresh Pinot Blanc.

WINEMAKING
Our winemaking goal with this special 2007 offering was to bring out the wonderful fresh and palate-cleansing nature of true Pinot Blanc. To that end, we fermented the wine in a small stainless steel portotank at a cool 50 degrees F. This retains the fresh esters of fermentation and the central core of fruit and mineral character of the varietal. We also employed an Alsatian yeast strain that showcases the high tone aromatics that are so inviting in this wine. We allowed malolactic fermentation to proceed part way in order to bring out a bit of extra richness, but not to completion so as to preserve the fresh acidity of the grape. The wine was bottled after six months of stainless steel aging in the cellar.

THE WINE
In 2007 we elicited just what we want out of this enticing varietal: mineral enhanced stone fruit and blossoms in the nose, vivid peach and citrus in the mouth, and the slight phenolic edge that lends the wine its cleansing freshness. This is a wine that keeps you wanting more, and is just perfect for enjoying on bright spring days on the deck, either by itself or paired with everything from fresh salads and appetizers to light summer dinners of petrale sole, shrimp stir-fry, or grilled vegetables to even spicy exotic fare.

Production: 110 cases

This wine is available now for purchase through our website. Or, if you prefer, you can give us a call at 707.823.3887.