2023 Pajaromas Vineyard Vermentiño, Santa Cruz County

Planted and farmed by Ryan Stirm, this 2 acre site behind the winery sits at the eastern end of the agricultural hub of the Pajaro Valley in Watsonville, California. These fertile river floodplain lowlands are typically planted to strawberries, raspberries, lettuce and apples, but grapes also thrive in the mild, Pacific ocean influenced climate. The vineyard was planted to be dry-farmed and the vines are spaced 10 feet apart on a diamond pattern to allow for the most growth between vines given the rich soils found here. About 70 percent of the vines are Vermentino, about 22 percent Albarino and 8 percent Furmint. We chose these varieties as they thrive in the soils and climate conditions found here.

Winemaking

The grapes were picked on November 7, 2023 by hand and sorted in the field. At the winery the grapes were pressed direct to tank for settling, then fermented in barrel. Elevage in old barriques for 11 months. Racked to stainless a month before bottling. Unfined, unfiltered. Bottled August 17, 2024. 25 cases produced.

Wine Stats

Brix at harvest: 22.5

Titratable Acidity: 5.7 g/L

pH: 3.39

Residual Sugar: 0.0 g/L

Alcohol: 13.0%