Subject to Change Solid + Sensible 2018

Solid + Sensible is a five-variety field blend sourced from two CCOF-certified organic vineyards in Hopland, Mendocino County. The red varieties, Syrah and Zinfandel (45% of the blend), come from Poor Ranch, a dry-farmed hillside property homesteaded in 1888 that sits between 860 and 1,800 feet elevation on Redvine series soils above the fog line. The white Rhone varieties, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier (55% of the blend), come from Bonofiglio Vineyard, a seven-acre plot on former Russian River alluvium in town of Hopland, farmed by Glenn McGourtey on Russian River loam.

This cuvee is assembled from three distinct lots. The first is a coferment of whole-cluster Syrah with destemmed Marsanne and Viognier, left on skins for three weeks. The second combines Syrah and Zinfandel using separate techniques. The third brings in the remaining white varieties. All fermentations use native yeasts. No sulfur is added at any point, and the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The result drinks like a Rhone-inflected California red with genuine texture from the extended skin contact on the whites. Floral lift from Viognier and Roussanne keeps the Syrah and Zinfandel fruit grounded and fresh rather than heavy. It is designed to be served slightly chilled and consumed without ceremony.