Vineyard Designate Grapes

The first and most fundamental requirement in wine-making is to source good grapes. Viticulture is just a fancy term and we all know it is agriculture. There are many factors that, hopefully, result in good grapes. Since I buy most of my grapes directly from growers, I can source each varietal where I determine it grows best. For example, Dry Creek is great for zinfandel, but Carneros, with its cooler climate, is by far better for chardonnay and pinot noir. I have growers that I buy from every year and then I have my “whim” wines. In any given year, I tend to try a few different varietals to explore a new challenge, and gives me a chance to experience something entirely different in my wine-making journey.