Product Description:

"Sustainable. 100% Grenache. Sourced from 100 year old+ (planted in 1910) own-rooted, non-irrigated vines grown. The Besson family has been farming this plot since they purchased the vineyard in 1922. The vineyard lies just over the Hecker Pass Wind Gap in the alluvial deposits of Uvas Creek. It is one of the coolest climate true old vine patches in California. Picked in late October at 23 Brix. 5-7 days of cold soak, fermented 50% whole cluster with 4 weeks maceration. Less than one third new French oak, aged 16 months sur lie. Racked only upon bottling. Aged 9 months in bottle prior to release." - Distributor's Notes

About the Producer
La Marea, made by Ian Brand of Le P'tit Paysan, is a tiny winery focused on single vineyard Spanish varietals "rooted in the sea, the soil and the sea air". Brand believes Monterey and San Benito to be some of the most ideally suited climates in California for Spanish varietals like Albariño, Grenache (Garnacha) and Mourvedre (Monastrell). The proximity to the cool ocean waters Monterey Bay provides an optimal climate for Albariño while the warmer San Antonio and San Benito Valleys closely resemble the Spanish regions where these grapes thrive. This region, once the site of a shallow ocean bed millions of years ago, is one of the few spots in California with a high percentage of limestone found in the soil which gives the wines a high naturally acidity. As with his P'tit Paysan wines, Brand works with fruit harvested at lower Brix, ferments using a combination of native and cultured yeast, and favors neutral oak.