Claudio’s Column Here We Grow Again Those of you who’ve visited the winery in the last 30 days may have noticed that we’ve cleared the vineyard next to the winery (between us and Wiens Winery). Someone asked me: “Is it going to be a parking lot?” Surprised, I answered: “Well, no, it’s our newest vineyard! It’s time to continue the agricultural renovations we started 5 years ago.” This 6.8 acre parcel produced Chardonnay for almost 30 years, and had reached the end of its economic life. While quality was still acceptable the yields had fallen below the cost of production. Normally, when an old vineyard is replaced, the vines are removed, and the stakes and irrigation are taken out. Next the land is tilled and planted with some annual crop, or left fallow for a year (with weeds) to give it some rest. In our case, given the visual importance of this vineyard, we elected to plant it in 2012. The variety will be Sangiovese grafted into disease-resistant rootstock. As you may know, the wine variety (which grows on the trunk and arms of the vine) can be different than the root of the vine. So the root can provide disease protection and sturdy support, while the arms carry fruit of the particular type we want to make great wine, see? Sangiovese, the noble variety of central Italy, is the source of all great Tuscan wines. The clone chosen comes from the village of Montalcino and is called “Brunello”. The Brunello clone has very important characteristics that are better than other Sangioveses for the making of our Super T and Sangiovese. Its color, aroma, and flavor profile are just what we want for our wine. The trellis system (i.e. the stakes, wire and irrigation) will be installed this spring and the vines will be planted sometime in late summer. Next spring the vines will sprout with huge energy out of the pink tubes that protect them against nibbling by rodents and rabbits. In the winter of 2014 they will be pruned back into the cordon (2 arm) system you see all around the winery. No fruit will be harvested until fall 2014, and by 2015 we will have a commercial harvest. Patience is required… But you don’t need to wait — try our 2009 Super T, or look for our new release of Sangiovese, coming this summer. Thanks for your support and happy Valentine’s day.
February 2012 | 35053 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591 | (951) 694-8855 | www.pontewinery.com