Aperture Chenin Blanc 2022, Clarksburg, California

These heritage grapes from the Clarksburg vineyard benefit from naturally warm days and brisk, cool nights made possible by the “Delta Breeze” from the San Francisco Bay. These temperature gusts help create a long growing season and beautifully developed fruit. The soils are rich, silty clay loam in a delta-like climate. This composition assists with nutrient uptake and water holding capacity. The inclusion of silt helps with water retention. The 2022 Chenin Blanc fruit is night-harvested from an old vine vineyard in the Clarksburg AVA on the Sacramento River. The fruit is lightly whole cluster pressed to a stainless steal tank where the juice chills at 50°F for two days to settle. On the third day, it is clean-racked to a smaller tank leaving the heavy sediment behind. The wine slowly starts fermenting, keeping the temperature cool, below 56°F, to achieve freshness and preserve aromatics. The wine ferments in a mixture of vessels giving the wine a variety of textures from the stainless steel, cement, and neutral French oak. All lots are aged on the lees until blended together just prior to bottling. 100% Chenin Blanc.