Fiddletown Reserve Barbera 2016
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2013-
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Being Earth Friendly is easy to say, but it's much harder to do. The actual winery is an energy efficient ICF (insulated concrete form) structure. Their water comes from our own artisan well, with UV sterilization to replace chemical additives. Year round power is provided by a 10KW PV solar system and the only private wind turbine, in Amador County. They use pulp shippers rather than polystyrene foam cores. In addition, we strive to do business with Green Friendly companies and use our fruit from organic farmers. They recycle everything; from cardboard to sending the fruit pressings back to the vineyard for organic compost.
Friendly and approachable, Barbera produces wines in a wide range of styles, from youthful, fresh and fruity to serious, structured and age-worthy. Piedmont is the most famous source of Barbera; those from Asti and Alba garner the most praise. Barbera actually can adapt to many climates and enjoys success in some New World regions. Somm Secret—In the past it wasn’t common or even accepted to age Barbera in oak but today both styles—oaked and unoaked—abound and in fact most Piedmontese producers today produce both styles.
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.