Radio Silence
Enjoying the views across the East Knoll for future Weatherborne Pinot Noir vineyard site in Philo – Anderson Valley, CA
We have been AWOL since last harvest.
It wasn’t our intention to allow such a lapse in communication, but alas, such is life. I wrapped up my job at Balo Vineyards in October as the winery was sold to Jackson Family Wines (of Kendall-Jackson fame.) Since then we have introduced a new family member to the world, Theo, born on January 16th. We were managing, and then the Rona! We have been, let’s say less efficient, since becoming full-time school teachers as well as trying to work and establish our farm. Still no vines, but lots of fruit and nut trees are in the ground. One day it will look great!
Introducing the newest Weatherborne family member, Theo, born January 16, 2020.
The biggest news is we are opening a tasting room this summer (!), fingers crossed.
Things are obviously a bit in flux, but we are hoping that by August Weatherborne will have a permanent home for you to come visit us in Anderson Valley. We have agreed to lease a space adjacent to the only remaining lumber mill in Anderson Valley, in our hometown of Philo. It’s will be a great spot for us; stay tuned for more info on our Grand Opening as things progress.
Making plans in our future tasting room in Philo – Anderson Valley, California.
Introducing Grenache from the wilds of Northern Mendocino
With great eagerness, we are set to release our 2018 Grenache Alder Springs Vineyard! This is a really, really fun wine, not like the big, ripe Grenache’s that dominate the marketplace. I’ve gone to bat for Grenache in the past and stand firm in my full support. Grenache is everything a Pinot-lover is looking for: delicate aromas of flowers and bright fruit, thirst-quenching mouthfeel and a sturdy tannic backbone. I’ve gone light on extraction with this wine, so it’s paler in color than typical and more ethereal too. I used around 25% whole-cluster on this and aged it for 16 months in neutral French oak barrels.
In the wilds of northern Mendocino, near Laytonville, is Alder Springs Vineyard, owned by Stew Bewley. It’s a sprawling 6000 acre ranch, formerly raising prized cattle, now growing great Rhone varieties and other fun things like Furmint and Picpoul blanc. Stew and his crew farm this site up in the Coastal Range with precision, coaxing the best out of the vines every year. 2018 was a nice, even vintage with plenty of sunshine, and moderate amounts of winter rainfall.
Grenache vines at Alder Springs Vineyard in Mendocino at 2000’ elevation next to the redwoods.
Borrowing our neighbor’s tractor for a photo op! One day we will have our own tractor…
When we eventually get to planting our own vineyard, Grenache will be one of the chosen varieties. It’s cool here in Anderson Valley, so some years the Grenache may struggle to get fully ripe, but it makes great rosé if nothing else. With global warming, who knows how long Pinot will be the ideal choice for this area? Like with investments, I believe in diversification and having a slew of well-suited grapes to pick from in an area is key to growing the region, and ultimately, making great wine. Right now, AV is around 70% Pinot noir and another 15% Chardonnay. I’m hoping things like Grenache, Gamay noir and Chenin blanc are added to the mix in the near future.
We look forward to welcoming you to our little corner of Anderson Valley, stay tuned!
View of our neighbor’s bay tree and old wooden barn.