2023 ‘Serpentinite’ Riesling Orange Wine

Serpentinite is the state rock of California and is found throughout the coastal range mountains including San Benito County. This wine is predominantly about the winemaking process; it’s white grapes fermented on skins in the same manner as red wines are made. It’s made from solely the old vine Riesling from the Wirz vineyard in the heart of the Cienega Valley.

Riesling: Wirz Vineyard, Cienega Valley (100%)

Winemaking

The grapes were picked by hand over several passes between three different vineyards. At the winery the grapes were crushed and transferred into vats for fermentation. Twice daily pumpovers followed by punchdowns in the later stages of fermentation. 17 days of skin contact before pressing to tank for settling, and into barrels for elevage. Racked to tank a month prior to bottling on June 15, 2023. Unfined and just the lees were filtered for clarity (6 microns, not sterile) and bottled with 34 ppm total sulfur. 73 cases produced.

Wine Stats

Varietal Composition: Riesling (44%) Chardonnay (56%) 

Brix at harvest: 20.5 / 21.5 / 22.0           

Titratable Acidity: 5.8 g/L        

pH: 3.56                           

Residual Sugar: 0.0 g/L              

Alcohol: 13.0%                                            

Fining: none