Gallo of Sonoma Stefani Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
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Originally planted by the Stefani family at the turn of the century, this vineyard is located in the heart of the Canyon Valley, a southwest-northeast corridor connecting Sonoma County's Dry Creek and Alexander Valley. Here, soils consist of as much as 30% gravel and small stones; a combination of Pleasanton and Clough series.
Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for this wine were 100% Estate Grown and hand harvested. To intensify varietal character, we employed site-specific vertical trellising, and meticulous shoot and leaf removal to ensure that grape clusters received just the right amount of sunlight exposure for optimal ripening.
The hand harvested clusters were de-stemmed but not crushed, to increase the percentage of whole berries in the fermenter and reduce the potential for bitter tannin extraction. Once dry, the wine was aged in French, European and American oak barrels for an average of 24 months to enhance bouquet, flavor, and body.
The wine completed malolactic fermentation, and was bottled unfined and with minimal filtration.
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Gallo of Sonoma wines represent the best of what Sonoma County has to offer. They are crafted with pride by Matt and Gina Gallo, Third Generation Family Winemakers in Sonoma County, California's premier winegrowing region.
50-50 Give-Back Plan
More than just a caretaker of the vines, Julio Gallo believed that his family had an obligation to protect the land by planting vineyards in a way that would preserve the local environment. His first step in accomplishing this task was to set aside as wildlife habitat one acre of property for every acre planted to vineyard in Sonoma County. Today, Julio's grandson, Matt, continues this 50-50 Give-Back Plan, managing a 6,000 acre property portfolio that balances 3,000 acres of planted vineyard with 3,000 acres of natural habitat.