.:Sierra Foothills:.
Do you wonder why most California wines are named for
their primary grape variety, while most European wines are named for their
place of origin? It’s
because U.S. wine drinkers and marketers have associated wine quality with
particular grape varieties (like Cabernet Sauvignon) since Prohibition ended.
More recently, we have started giving due recognition to the fact that
in wine, as in real estate, location is critically important. The
Europeans have been at this wine making business longer than we have, and they
understand the importance of growing grape varieties in their ideal settings. This concept of terroir teaches
us that the place is the thing, so read on and find out why our unique
location makes our wines special.
The Sierra Nevada mountains form a wall running
north-south along the eastern edge of California. Over eons, Pacific
storms hit the wall from the west and dropped precipitation on the western
slopes, eroding that side to form piedmonts, or alluvial fans. What
this geo-history means for wine aficionados is that US label authorities
have recognized the unique character of wines from the region and designated
it as the Sierra
Foothills AVA (American Viticultural
Area).
Wine styles from this region vary
considerably depending on the elevation of the vineyard location. At high elevations,
say over 1,500 feet where many El Dorado County vineyards lie, the weather
is cool, there is more rain and some snow, and less topsoil. Wines from these districts
generally have more acid, less alcohol, less body, and more delicate aromatics
in the nose. By contrast, below 600 feet is technically the Central Valley,
not the Sierra Foothills.
Between 600 feet and 1,500 feet is the historic
band of Sierra Foothills wine growing. Settlers drawn by the Gold Rush
recognized the Mediterranean climate of the region and planted vineyards and
olive trees as they had in their native lands. Now our scientific studies have
affirmed that the Sierra Foothills environment, with its decomposed granite
soils, and warm days relieved by cool nights, is ideal for grape varieties such
as Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. Here the wines tend to be more dense and full-flavored
than many of their high country relatives, more deeply colored, and given
to riper aromas. In comparison with their neighbors from Lodi or the Sacramento
River Delta, Sierra Foothills wines often show more complexity and flavor
dimensions, and a firmer structure.
Ophir Valley, lying within this last region,
has its own microclimate that is enhanced by the cooling influences of the
Auburn Ravine (small river) and several creeks running through it. Our Green
Ravine Vineyard lies a hundred yards from the ravine, while our Gold Blossom
Vineyard
sits alongside one of the area’s creeks. After each warm day, the vines
are revitalized as the flowing water circulates cool night air through the
vineyards.
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