VINEYARD Rosella’s, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
CLONES Pisoni, 777, 828
ORIENTATION North / South
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Arroyo Seco sandy loam
FERMENTATION 100% stainless steel
ÉLEVAGE 53% new French oak for 12 months, 11% new Austrian oak 12 months, prior to bottling the blend was aged for another 6 months in neutral oak cask
ALCOHOL 14.1%
pH 3.65
TA 5.6 g/L
AROMA
Intricate aromatics. Elegantly perfumed with rose petals, raspberry, and orange blossom.
PALATE
Deeply structured, with well-integrated tannins and a pop of bright fruit. Endearing and finessed with a long, vibrant finish.
Planted by legendary winegrower Gary Franscioni in 1996 and named after his wife, Rosella’s Vineyard features the coveted Pisoni clone and is situated in the northernmost part of the Santa Lucia Highlands and borders lemon groves above the fertile valley below. Strong wind and fog off Monterey Bay ensure a long, temperate growing season in this region.
To accentuate this wine’s most graceful qualities, it was fermented in stainless steel and aged in a combination of new French and Austrian oak. As the wine unfurls, intricately perfumed aromatics of raspberry and orange blossom mingle with a broad and bright presence, deep structure, and well-integrated tannins, drawing the wine to a thoughtful finish. It is the most elegant and finessed of our Central Coast wines.
Fact of Note: 38 acres planted to Pinot Noir.
THE SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS IS recognized for producing some of California’s most powerful yet intricate and impeccably balanced Pinot Noirs. Perched upon the East-facing terraces of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the vines are consistently cooled by wind and fog drawn from the depths of Monterey Bay.
Within this region is the city of Salinas, an agricultural town surrounded by fruit and vegetable growers with a comprehensive climate blended of coastal breezes and sun that is ideal for grape-growing. There are plenty of favorite local hangouts to discover if you make the stop. The BBQ is truly magical and worthy of a detour in and of itself.
