El Gabilan is the original name of the old vineyard planted at the northwestern end of the Cienega Valley, now named Gimelli Vineyards, after the current owner. This vineyard was originally planted around 115 years ago in 1908, of which remain a 5 acre block of Cabernet Pfeffer and 7.5 acre block of Zinfandel. This is the same limestone laden, calcite country Cienega Valley as the neighboring Wirz Vineyard. Dry-farmed, organic bush vines that yield concentrated fruit from another era. This vineyard also boasts a very successful planting of more modern varieties that thrive in the limestone soil and ample sunshine.

Winemaking

The grapes were picked by hand on October 20, 2021 after a very mild and long ripening season. The grapes fermented in separate lots, from whole cluster to destemmed completely. Every lot fermented in redwood from 14 to 17 days total, once to twice daily pumpopvers. In total about two thirds of the fermentations for this lot were fermented whole cluster. Post fermentation pressing to settling tank before racking into barrels. The wine was sulfured post completion of secondary fermentation with elevage in barrels on fine lees. Racked off fine lees a month prior to bottling and blended. Unfined and unfiltered. 29 ppm Total SO2 at bottling. Bottled March 12, 2023. 140 cases produced.

Wine Stats

Brix at harvest: 22.2     

Titratable Acidity: 6.0 g/L        

pH: 3.37                           

Residual Sugar: 0.0 g/L              

Alcohol: 13.2%                                            

Fining: none