At the Wine Garden Inn, we take great pride in our estate-grown vineyard, where we carefully cultivate a diverse selection of grape varietals that flourish in our unique terroir. As vintners, we have dedicated ourselves to understanding the intricate interplay between soil, climate, and the individual personality of each vine, allowing us to craft wines that truly capture the essence of our land.
The Estate-Grown Vineyard
Terroir and Soil Composition
Our vineyard is situated on a gently sloping hillside, where the soil composition is a harmonious blend of clay, loam, and a touch of gravel. This well-draining, nutrient-rich earth provides the perfect foundation for our vines to thrive, imparting subtle nuances of minerality and complexity to the finished wine.
Climate and Microclimates
The temperate, Mediterranean-influenced climate of our region is further enhanced by the presence of several distinct microclimates across our property. From the sun-drenched, south-facing slopes to the slightly cooler, north-facing terraces, each section of our vineyard offers its own unique growing conditions, allowing us to cultivate an exceptional diversity of grape varieties.
Varietal Selection
In our quest to showcase the full breadth of what our land can offer, we have carefully selected a range of grape varietals, each chosen for its ability to flourish in our unique environment. From the crisp, acidity-driven Chardonnay to the bold, tannin-rich Cabernet Sauvignon, our vines are a reflection of the delicate balance between nature’s gifts and our winemaking expertise.
Winemaking Practices
Harvesting Techniques
As the grapes reach their peak ripeness, we employ a meticulous hand-harvesting approach, ensuring that each cluster is carefully selected and transported to the winery with the utmost care. This attention to detail allows us to preserve the inherent flavors and aromas of the fruit, setting the stage for the winemaking process.
Fermentation Processes
In the winery, we embrace a range of fermentation techniques to coax the most expressive characteristics from our grapes. For our white wines, we often employ barrel fermentation and sur lie aging to lend a creamy, mouthfeel and subtle notes of toasted oak. Our red wines, on the other hand, undergo gentle extraction methods and extended maceration to extract a rich, tannic structure and intense, fruit-forward flavors.
Aging and Maturation
The final stage of our winemaking journey involves a careful aging regimen, where we monitor the evolution of each wine with the utmost vigilance. Whether it’s the malolactic fermentation of our Chardonnay or the *barrel*-aging of our Merlot, we strive to create a harmonious balance between the wine’s inherent characteristics and the influence of various cooperage and maturation techniques.
Grape Varietals
Chardonnay
Our Chardonnay vines thrive in the slightly cooler, north-facing sections of our vineyard, where the grapes are able to develop a perfect balance of acidity and ripe fruit flavors. With judicious use of oak and lees contact, we craft a Chardonnay that is simultaneously elegant and full-bodied, with enticing aromas of citrus, stone fruit, and a hint of toasted brioche.
Merlot
The Merlot grapes from our estate enjoy the sun-drenched, south-facing slopes, where they develop a rich, plush texture and an abundance of ripe black fruit flavors. Through a combination of gentle extraction and extended maceration, we are able to coax out the inherent softness of the Merlot grape, resulting in a wine with supple tannins and a long, velvety finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Our Cabernet Sauvignon vines thrive in the well-draining, gravelly soils of our highest-elevation blocks, where they are able to produce grapes with concentrated flavors and robust tannins. With a meticulous barrel-aging regimen, we craft a Cabernet Sauvignon that is both powerful and refined, with notes of black currant, graphite, and cedar.
Tasting Notes
Aroma and Bouquet
As you swirl the glass, our estate-grown wines will reveal a tapestry of aromas, from the delicate citrus and stone fruit notes of the Chardonnay to the lush, ripe-berry perfume of the Merlot and the alluring black-fruit and spice scents of the Cabernet Sauvignon. Each varietal showcases the unique character of our terroir, inviting you to explore the depths of our vineyard’s terroir.
Flavor Profiles
On the palate, our wines demonstrate a remarkable integration of flavors, where the acidity, tannins, and fruit components are effortlessly in harmony. The Chardonnay offers a creamy, mouthfeel with flavors of baked apple and toasted almond, while the Merlot envelops the senses with its velvety texture and notes of ripe plum and mocha. The Cabernet Sauvignon, with its robust structure and concentrated black-fruit essence, is a true testament to the power and potential of our estate-grown grapes.
Pairings and Recommendations
Each of our estate-grown wines has been meticulously crafted to complement a wide range of culinary delights. The Chardonnay, with its balanced acidity and subtle oak influence, pairs beautifully with seafood, poultry, and creamy pasta dishes. The Merlot, with its approachable tannins and plush mouthfeel, is a perfect match for grilled red meats, roasted vegetables, and hearty stews. The Cabernet Sauvignon, with its robust structure and concentrated flavors, is the ideal companion for aged cheeses, braised short ribs, and rich, chocolate-based desserts.
As you explore the wines of the Wine Garden Inn, we invite you to discover the unique stories that unfold in every sip – tales of our land, our dedication, and our unwavering commitment to showcasing the very best of what our estate-grown vineyard has to offer. We are the grape whisperers, and we are honored to share our passion with you.