Cases Produced: 143

Alcohol	14.4%
pH	3.32
TA	.6

After a big crop in 2006 our vineyard decided to take a rest and go small! The grapes were de-stemmed, pressed and cold settled before being transferred to a stainless steel tank for fermentation. Fermentation temperature was held at 50°F in order to retain the fruitiness. The wine is concentrated, mouth filling and rewarding. It is more Alsatian than usual with lower pH, higher acid and greater minerality. The flavors include the usual spice and stone fruits but there is also an intriguing orange peel component to the finish. A great food wine. Delicious!

Cases Produced: 98

Alcohol	12.9%
pH	3.5
TA	.67

86% Syrah, 8% Pinot Noir, 6% Zinfandel.

Last October a friend who supplies us with Zinfandel called and mentioned that he was going out for the third time to drop some of the fruit in his Syrah block because it wouldn't ripen. My reply was, "make some Rose". He seemed aghast but I assured him that it didn't have to be too ripe. A few days later, to my surprise, he called and let me know he was bringing me a couple of ton of Syrah. It was a fun experiment that turned out great. The wine has aroma, earthiness, and structure of a Syrah along with bright red fruit flavors. Due to high acid levels I decided to put it through ML fermentation for a better balance and a big mouthfeel. Dry and tasty, it is perfect for the coming warm summer days.

$15

Cases Produced: 396

Alcohol	14.3%
pH	3.59
TA	.57

2006 was a good year for our vineyard and we were able to release a Reserve Pinot Noir in addition to this regular Estate bottling. After the bottle aging it has received, it too is deserving of a reserve type label. Alas, the label is already on and you get the benefit! Dan Berger tasted this wine, found it delicious and advised us it was under priced! It has the usual black fruit, spice and cola our vineyard is noted for. There is a hint of tannin now which provides structure, and well integrated oak (about 25% new). It is medium bodied and balanced so that it pairs well with food.

Awards—2006 Claudia Springs Estate Pinot Noir, Klindt Vnyd, Anderson Valley

Gold Medal

2008 Mendocino County Fair

Cases Produced: 148

Alcohol	16.3%
pH	3.45
TA	.63

Parts of this vineyard are reputed to be 80 years old. The must was fermented for 15 days in small fermenters using 3 commercial yeast strains in some lots and natural yeast in others. It was aged 21 months in French and American oak before bottling in May 2008. As in the past, this is a powerhouse wine that nevertheless has an elegance that belies its weight. Few vineyards produce fruit that can reach this level of ripeness without producing a wine that is out of balance. The relatively high alcohol gives it mouthfeel and depth but never overpowers the deep, jammy black fruit, chocolate and spice flavors. The oak provides a smooth entry and complexity while contributing to the lingering finish. The natural acidity and relatively low pH will enable this wine to mature for a number of years. A true Zin lovers Zin!

Cases Produced: 275

Alcohol	14.8%
pH	3.75
TA	.59

Farmed since prohibition by the extended Ricetti family, the ridge top vineyards overlooking Lake Mendocino were eventually sold to bigger concerns, with a few parcels remaining in the hands of family members. One of those parcels, of just one acre in size, is owned by John Ricetti and his wife Rose. Although John is now 93 he still cares for his vineyard himself (in his spare time he also manages to tend one of the best vegetable gardens in the county). We are honored to have the opportunity to work with this bit of Mendocino history.

Alcohol	14.3%
pH	3.59
TA	.57

This is our second vineyard source located in the Mendocino Ridge Appellation and it is a blockbuster. Italian immigrants settled this area in the mid 1800's and grew grapes as well as vegetables. This block of Zin is grown where they had their potato patch, hence the name. Reputed to be the highest vineyard in the County at 2200 feet, it demonstrates the best attributes of this area- bright acid, red and black fruit and jammy flavors. Rounded out by 25% new American oak, the wine is rich and full bodied. This is our latest star!

Awards—2006 Claudia Springs Zinfandel, Perli Vineyard, Mendocino Ridge, Potato Patch Block

Double Gold Medal

2008 California Zinfandel Championships. One of only four Double Gold medals awarded!

Gold Medal

2008 Mendocino County Fair. One of only 2 Gold medals awarded for Zinfandel

Cases Produced: 175

Alcohol	14.9%
pH	3.6
TA	.57

This was my chance to get creative. The wine is 88% Zinfandel (45% from Alden vineyard, Mendocino Ridge, 34% from John Ricetti and 8.8% from Vassar, both of Redwood Valley). There is also 5.8% Syrah, 4.3% Petite Sirah and 1.5% Merlot.  And I think it is delicious with bright Zinfandel fruit complemented ucture and fruit in the other components.  A real bargain.

$22

Cases Produced: 175

Alcohol	14.3%
pH	3.65
TA	.59

For the first time we tasted through the 32 barrels of 2006 Estate Pinot and picked out 9, which made a particularly exceptional blend, to become our Reserve wine.  It has the usual black fruit, spice and cola our vineyard is noted for.  There is a hint of tannin now which provides structure, and well integrated oak (about 40% new).  It was just bottled in April, so needs a little time to marry in the bottle.  Enjoy.   

$35

Cases Produced: 200

Alcohol	14.7%
pH	3.50
TA	.58
RS	.80

It has always been difficult for us to find exceptional Viognier grapes to purchase because growers have a hard time getting an economically viable crop. Twice we had found a source, only to have the grower either pull it out or graft it over because they hated working with the grape. In 2000 we hit the jackpot when we found out that Lolonis had two acres of Viognier, and we have been buying the fruit ever since. In 2006 the grapes were whole cluster pressed, then moved to a stainless steel tank where it was fermented at 50 degrees in order to retain the fruit and esters of the grape. After 2 months, when fermentation was nearly complete, the wine was transferred to seasoned oak barrels. This aging in neutral oak barrels, along with stirring the lies, increases the body and texture, and contributes to complexity. The wine was not allowed to undergo ML fermentation in order to retain the natural acidity. This is what Viognier is all about! A floral bouquet of peach, apricot and honey follows through in the intense flavors, which are crisp and dry. A touch of earthiness from the Redwood Valley terroir and a viscous mouth feel round out the wine.

$18

Awards—2006 Claudia Springs Viognier, Lolonis Vineyard, Redwood Valley

Best of Class for Region

2007 California State Fair

Gold

2008 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition

Silver Medal

2007 West Coast Wine Competition

2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Cases Produced: 425

Alcohol	14.6%
pH	3.59
TA	.57
RS	.37

This is the fifth release of Pinot Gris from our own vineyard which was planted in 1998. 2006 was a breakout year for our Pinot Gris planting as we harvested nearly 4 ton an acre. This above average size crop was typical for Anderson Valley vineyards in 2006. The grapes were de-stemmed, pressed and cold settled before being transferred to a stainless steel tank for fermentation. Fermentation temperature was held at 50°F in order to retain the fruitiness of the wine. After several months of slow fermentation, the wine finished at .37 residual sugar. The result is a very concentrated wine with aromas of spice and stone fruit. Apricot with a hint of earthiness predominate in the flavors. This is a creamy, mouth-filling wine that is fun to drink by itself as an aperitif, or with spicy oriental dishes.

Retail: $17
Wine Club: $13.60

Awards—2006 Claudia Springs Estate Pinot Gris, Klindt Vineyard, Anderson Valley

Gold Medal

2008 New World International Wine Competition

Silver Medal

	2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
	2008 Grand Harvest Awards

Cases Produced: 48

Alcohol	14.6%
pH	3.69
TA	.58

Most years we purchase a bit of Petite Sirah for blending with the Zinfandels as it provides color, spiciness and mid-palate. Occasionally, if we have enough, and the quality justifies it, we bottle a 100% Petite Sirah. This one is a blend of grapes from two of our favorite vineyards in Redwood Valley--Vassar and Rhodes. It has a spicy, black fruit nose that delivers blackberry and cassis on the palate. Its medium body and integrated tannins make it a wine that can be enjoyed now or allowed to age.

Cases Produced: 270

Alcohol	16.1%
pH	3.50
TA	.68

The Mendocino Ridge Appellation is one of the nation's newest, and certainly the most unique. Usually an appellation is an area within a defined border that possesses special growing conditions, or "terroir", that produce wines of distinctive character. This appellation is further defined by elevation! The vineyards must be in the Mendocino Coast ridge, and at an elevation of at least 1200 feet. It consists only of the ridge tops within the range, and is often referred to as "islands in the sky". The Zinfandels here develop rich, broad, jammy flavors that are highly sought after. In addition, the altitude and cold nights results in higher natural acids which keep the fruit flavors fresh and crisp.

The Valenti Ranch is our first Mendocino Ridge wine. The Zinfandel clone selected for this vineyard was the Deaver clone, propagated from a famous vineyard in the Sierra Foothills. Grown in this appellation, the resulting wine shows some of the foothills black pepper character, but with higher acid to provide better balance. The pepper is overshadowed by red fruit flavors of raspberry and completed with hints of cherry, dark chocolate and a touch of oak. A Zinfandel of power and finesse!

The wine was released in the summer of 2007 and immediately won 2 gold medals in national competitions. This vineyard has been made a permanent part of our portfolio of fine Zinfandels, and is sure to become a household name among Zinfandel lovers.

$28

Awards—2005 Claudia Springs Zinfandel, Valenti Ranch, Mendocino Ridges

Gold Medal

2007 California Zinfandel Championships - One of only eight Gold or Double Golds awarded

2007 North of the Gate Wine Competition

Silver Medal

2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Bronze Medal

2008 Grand Harvest Awards