all about Spell TdP Vineyard 2014
by Spell Estate Wines, Tastemaker in Residence
all about Spell TdP Vineyard 2014
Spring Release 2016 - available at spellestate.com
Terra de Promissio Vineyard & the Petaluma Gap
We are especially fortunate to be able to source fruit from this amazing vineyard in the Sonoma Coast. Named Terra de Promissio – “Land of Promise” – by Diana and Charles Karren.
“With its proximity to San Pablo bay and it’s clay-loam soils the grapes from Terra de Promissio Vineyard produce wines of exception elegance and purity of place. Its everything we expect Pinot Noir to be. I enjoy working with the fruit because the wines produced from the vineyard have a distinctive character unlike any other on the Sonoma Coast.” – Andrew Berge
Watch: Back Roads & Back Stories with Ray Isle - The Land of Promise
(original source, Sonoma County Winegrowers) https://youtu.be/cLhtH7KOkH8
Sonoma Coast AVA
(original source: http://www.sonomacounty.com/articles/sonoma-coast-wine-region-and-appellation)
Terra de Promissio Vineyard is located in Petaluma – the “Petaluma Gap” located in the Sonoma Coast AVA (AVA = American Viticultural Area), “named after a coastal mountain opening that allows winds from the Pacific to breeze through the town of Petaluma and then roar south to San Pablo Bay. Wineries here are represented by the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance, which is working to get this area its own AVA designation.
Direct, daily influence from the Pacific Ocean defines the appellation. In the northern reach, vineyards are planted high on ridges just a few miles inland. Many lie above the fog that moves in to blanket lower elevations in the afternoon. read more
About the Karren Family and the story of the Vineyard
The ranch was a dairy farm that the Karren’s purchased in 2000. The vineyard was planted in 2002 and the first vintage was 2005. Spell has been purchasing grapes since 2010.
Charles and Diana Karren are both very passionate about growing grapes. It has been their dream to plant, manage and raise a family on the vineyard. Their story together began in 1998 when they met on the Caspian Sea. In 1999, Charles proposed to Diana at the Temple of Bacchus, the God of Wine, in Baalbek, Lebanon. She said, yes, and they celebrated at the famed Chateau Kefraya in the Bekaa Valley.
Upon returning to the United States, Charles and Diana began their search for what they called their Promised Land. They had looked at over 100 sites in Napa and Sonoma when they came across a beautiful 53-acre ranch, overlooking the town of Petaluma. The ranch was on two rolling hills, had the right soil profile and fresh water from a well. Most importantly, the hills faced southwest, which would get both the sun exposure and the wind and fog of the Petaluma Gap. All these characteristics are ideal for cool climate style Pinot Noir grapes. read more
Accolades for the Spell 2014 Terra de Promissio Pinot Noir
92 Points; Prince of Pinot
Aged in 50% new, 25% once-used and 25% older French oak barrels. ·Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose leads with aromas of black cherry, forest floor and subtle oak. Fairly concentrated and ripe fruited, with succulent flavors of black cherry, blackberry, spice and Hoisin sauce, backed by balanced tannins that make for easy approachability. The fruit really grabs hold to the long finish.
Spell Terra de Promissio Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Sonoma Coast | 79 cases produced
The Vineyard
The Terra de Promissio Vineyard is owned and managed by Charles and Diana Karren with the help of Diana’s parents it is a true family operation. Planted in 2002 to Pinot Noir clones 777 and 115 it is located east of Petaluma on a rolling hill in what is unofficially referred to as the Petaluma Gap of the Sonoma Coast AVA. Buffeted by cold maritime winds the fruit ripens slowly and produces wines of exceptional elegance and purity.
Winemaker Notes
A dark ruby red color introduce a complex bouquet of black cherry, smoke, black tea, sandalwood, and terra cotta. Black cherry and tea flavors mingle with dried herbs, citrus and toasted grains on the palate. Refined tannins and spot-on acidity ride the wave of flavors to a lasting finish. Drinking exceptionally well now, but designed to age. Drink now, or over the next 5 to 10 years.
Vinification
Oak:100% French; 50% new, 25% once used and 25% older.
Clones: Dijon 115 with a tiny amount of Dijon 777
Harvest Dates: September 18, 2014
Bottled: August 10, 2015
Alc: 14.2%
Cases Produced: 79
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