WINE MAKING INFORMATION
Grapes are hand-harvested at normal ripeness level of 23° Brix then left to dry in the shade outdoors for 2-4 weeks. This allows moisture to evaporate naturally from the berries, concentrating sugars, acids and flavour. When the grapes have shriveled half way to becoming raisins they are crushed and pressed whole bunch, and racked to old 225L barrels. A little sulphur is added to inhibit bacteria but allow the natural yeast to ferment. Fermentation takes ca. 6 months and stops naturally when the yeast cannot ferment further. The barrels are then treated differently: Some are not topped, but allowed to oxidize slowly, to build complexity. Some are topped every few months, but left without sulphur, and the remaining barrels are dosed with sulphur and topped every couple of months to maintain their purity and fruit. After 12 months the barrels are racked, blended and bottled unfiltered and unfined.
