2019 Hillside Cuvée

VINIFICATION NOTES: This winemaker’s selection of fruit was picked at ideal ripeness from three Dry Creek vineyards between September 17th and October 19th. Each block was picked, hand sorted and fermented separately in closed top stainless steel tanks. The wines received two pump-overs daily during fermentation and were left on skins for 23 days. After fermentation, the wine was barreled-down into a combination of 80% French, 10% American and 10% Hungarian oak barrels for 22 months, with 15% new oak overall.

VINEYARD NOTES: Collier Falls Vineyard provides beautiful, structured zinfandel to this winemaker’s blend. A portion of zinfandel, the syrah and petite sirah comes from our Lily Hill Estate Vineyard, and the benchland property Mounts Vineyard provides the grenache fruit.

SENSORY NOTES: Taking a nod from Côtes du Rhône, yet completely Californian, Winemaker Ryan Schmaltz selected this blend of zin, petite sirah, grenache and syrah to showcase Dry Creek Valley's best-growing varietals in one complex, earthy, beautifully balanced wine. From the wonderful aromatics to lingering finish, the Hillside Cuvée offers intrigue while also being showcasing magnificent darker notes.