Ledge Catacombs White Blend 2012
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The aptly named Ledge Vineyards sits atop a flat panoramic ledge of sandstone, sand and clay amongst the rolling hills of the Willow Creek District in Paso Robles. Winemaker, Mark Adams, grew up on the land he and wife, Ciera, now continue to farm. In 2005 they propagated cuttings and own-root planted the first 5 acres of their vineyard. Now 20 years later, their 20 acre vineyard continues to grow and is planted to Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Counoise, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche and Roussanne.
Mark's journey in winemaking began in the cellar and vineyards with childhood friend, Justin Smith, at Saxum. This led to sourcing fruit from many esteemed vineyards in the area, such as James Berry Vineyard and Bien Nacido, while the Ledge estate vines continued to mature. By 2009 and 2010 Mark was making wines with Syrah and Grenache from the ledge, laying the foundation for Ledge wines' distinctive character. Together with Ciera they now offer a wine club and lineup of limited-production wines that are described by critics as rare, multi-dimensional, and seamless. Mark's pure winemaking style showcases their site’s unique location and terroir — capturing that remarkable westside Paso Robles magic.
Despite accolades and a growing reputation for their elegant, sought-after wines, Mark and Ciera remain genuinely approachable, crafting niche wines with a humble spirit that mirrors how Ledge began.
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.