Vesper Highland Hills Vineyard Alcala White Blend 2012
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Alysha went on a more formal journey, majoring in Viticulture & Enology at the University of California, Davis where she learned the scientific aspects of grape growing and winemaking. Her education included traveling with fellow UC Davis students to wineries around California, even spending time in Chile and Argentina.
Vesper Vineyards is the result of combining Alysha's scientific background, Chris' practical experience and the love they both have for San Diego County. Alysha and Chris understand that they can work in Napa, Sonoma or Santa Barbara, yet it is only in San Diego that they can create their own world of wine. Here, with no established style of winemaking and no set varietal to define the area, their options are endless. There is great potential for some excellent wine, especially as the county has such diverse microclimates.
Vesper Vineyards sources grapes exclusively from these areas to produce their wine. Every bottle brings forth the unique characteristics of the vineyard and its microclimate. So, raise a glass and enjoy the best of San Diego County!
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
Responsible for the vast majority of American wine production, if California were a country, it would be the world’s fourth largest wine-producing nation. The state’s diverse terrain and microclimates allow for an incredible range of red wine styles, and unlike tradition-bound Europe, experimentation is more than welcome here. California wineries range from tiny, family-owned boutiques to massive corporations, and price and production are equally varied. Plenty of inexpensive bulk wine is made in the Central Valley area, while Napa Valley is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious and expensive “cult” wines.
Each American Viticultural Area (AVA) and sub-AVA of has its own distinct personality, allowing California to produce red wine of every fashion: from bone dry to unctuously sweet, still to sparkling, light and fresh to rich and full-bodied. In the Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate vineyard acreage. Sonoma County is best known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosé and Zinfandel. The Central Coast has carved out a niche with Rhône Blends based on Grenache and Syrah, while Mendocino has found success with cool climate varieties such as Pinot noir, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. With all the diversity that California wine has to offer, any wine lover will find something to get excited about here.