Traditional Winemaking:
We harvest Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc at the point of optimal ripeness, vinify each lot separately, then age the wines in new French oak barrels. After six months the individual wines are assessed and the blends are assembled.
The Côte Bonneville and Carriage House blends are based on distinct blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon in our vineyard. Merlot and Cabernet Franc may be added each year in varying proportions, as determined by our winemaking team.
Côte Bonneville is barrel-aged for 24 months, Carriage House for 20 months. After bottling, the wines are allowed to develop further prior to release.
We embrace traditional Burgundian methods in making our Chardonnay. The fruit is sourced from two distinct plantings within our vineyard: each bringing its unique sense of place to the bottling. The wine is aged sur lees in French oak for 17 months then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Occasionally, we make additional wines on a limited basis that we only sell through our mailing list.
Cutting-Edge Science:
For years we have been involved with Washington State University - Prosser in studying vines and wines. These cooperative experiments involve our DuBrul Vineyard and the wines of Côte Bonneville.
In the vineyard we participated in a 3 year study with Dr. Sara Spayd on canopy management affecting wine grape quality. We worked with Dr. Bob Wample on vine growth relative to grow tube use patterns. More recently we worked with Dr. Doug Walsh on cutworm spray alternatives. And we are currently working with Dr. Walsh on mealybug cycles and management options.
In the winery, tannin and anthocyanin analyses have been our focus. Our site produces unique quantities and qualities of these compounds. Working with Dr. Jim Harbertson of WSU Prosser, we provide wines from individual blocks for assay. After we assemble the final blends and age the wines, we study the resultant compositions. As we learn the complex integrations of our wines, we understand better why the wines of Côte Bonneville are unique. |
