100% Cabernet Franc from Alder Springs Vineyard

Located outside of Laytonville in northern Mendocino County, Alder Springs Vineyard is a magical place. On the eastern side of the coastal range, days get hot but the land cools down in the evenings and nights as it’s just 12 miles from the coast. With elevations reaching about 2500’ the vineyard sees snow nearly every winter. Our Cabernet Franc comes from the section of the vineyard called Emeral Pool South and is clone 214. We destemmed roughly 75% of the fruit and gently foot stomped all of the berries together. Due to the cool temperatures, the must was slow to natural ferment. We would move the bin outside every day to warm the must and create a better environment for the yeast to thrive. After a slow natural fermentation of eight days, we pressed the one bin and gently moved it to neutral oak barrels, elevage lasted 9 months.