2009 Russian River Viognier

Quite frankly, we love Viognier. There is something so beguiling about the nose, the crisp acidity, and the pure fruit that it is difficult for us to refuse a glass (or two), especially when the weather warms up. We try to capture that lively spirit of the grape in our Viognier by picking fairly ripe fruit (but not over ripe), by fermenting the juice entirely in stainless steel, and by eschewing malolactic fermentation. All of these techniques seem to help preserve the wonderful fruit while retaining the crispness that keeps the wine fresh.

The 2009 Novy Viognier was picked on October 5 and immediately pressed to tank to settle for 24 hours, racked to one larger tank and fermented using a yeast isolated in the Rhone region of France (where Viognier fins its original home). At dryness the wine was racked to stainless steel barrels where it was kept until bottling in May. We chose not to put this wine thru malolactic fermentation thus helping to retain its crisp acidity.

With crisp pear and peach aromas, wonderfully forward and sweet tasting fruit, and a long, crisp finish, this is the perfect wine to serve at the beginning of a meal.