Renwood Select Series Viognier 2001
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2000-
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Surrounded by some of America's oldest Zinfandel vineyards, Renwood Winery is located in the picturesque California foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Renwood produces world-class award-winning wines from Amador County. Founded in 1993, it reflects Amador County’s rich history of magnificent vineyards and winemaking. Owned by international vintner and entrepreneur, Alejandro Bulgheroni, the team undertook a thorough and painstaking replanting in 2014 to update each block of the Renwood Ranch vineyard for optimum health and efficiency.
Wine production has grown from 2,500 cases in 1993 to approximately 25,000 cases today, all from the Renwood Ranch Estate vineyard for the three wines they produce. Winemaker Joe Shebl has been at the property since 1999 and knows every square inch of the vineyard like a second home.
The Grandpere Zinfandel, which comes from its namesake block of the Estate vineyard is made from the oldest known clone of Zinfandel in America. All grapes are handpicked and fermented in small lots, then aged in French-only oak barrels to preserve the unique character of each parcel which strives to impart the texture, freshness, and finesse of which great Zinfandel is capable.
Full-figured and charmingly floral, Viognier is one of the most important white grapes of the northern Rhône where it is used both to produce single varietal wines and as an important blending grape. Look for great New World examples from California, Oregon, Washington and cooler parts of Australia. Somm Secret—Viognier plays a surprisingly important role in the red wines of Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône. About 5% Viognier is typically co-fermented with the Syrah in order to stabilize the color, and as an added benefit, add a subtle perfume.
Originally a source of oenological sustenance for gold-seeking miners of the mid-1800s, the Sierra Foothills was the first region in California to produce wines from European grape varieties. Located between Sacramento and the Nevada border, this area’s immigrant settlers chose to forgo growing the then-ubiquitous Mission grape and instead brought with them superior vines from the Old World to plant alongside mining camps.
Zinfandel has been the most important variety of this region since its inception, taking on a spicy character with brambly fruit and firm structure. Amador and El Dorado counties, benefiting from the presence of volcanic and granite soils, are home to the best examples. Bold, robust Rhône Blends and Barbera are also important regional specialties.