2023 Sangiovese

“The Hill Vineyard” Sangiovese is tended by John Murrill and his son Andrew.  We have been producing this wine since 2016.  The vineyard is quite small, and our average production is just 151 cases per year.  Some folks might question whether working with such a small lot makes any sense, but once they taste the wine they understand.  We first met John when he took over the farming of Joe Aparecio’s Carignane vineyard.  Joe was getting up there in age and needed John to take over for him.  John did a terrific job with the Carignane, but when he offered us Sangiovese, I was my usual skeptical self.  We already had a source for Sangiovese, but John convinced me to try his fruit.  I relented and am glad I did.  While we were producing a wonderful Sangiovese in the classic Chianti style from the Pioneer Hill Vineyard and the Cooper Ranch vineyard, the fruit from “The Hill” allows us to make a more substantial Sangiovese more in the style of Brunello than Chianti.This is the perfect example of a wine for our Explorer program.  We don’t make enough for it to be a wine club selection, and we are bombarded with curiosity regarding these small lot wines.  So, by joining the explorer program you get a chance to try these gems that are usually tasting room only wines.  We appreciate your interest in these ‘off the beaten track’ wines, and we look forward to sharing our discoveries with you.  In 2025, Dolcetto is rejoining the portfolio.  We crushed two tons from Josh Lyman’s vineyard while we wait for the grafting at the Dal Porto Ranch to bear fruit.  We will release our first Nero d’Avola in September.  Lots to look forward to.