MONTE ROSSO WINES SHINE!

Draped over the terraced slopes of Mt Pisgah, the Monte Rosso Vineyard basks in the sun above the fog line of the Valley of the Moon. The climatic factors are the reason Monte Rosso wines age so well. Exposure on the terraces run from South East to North West, from an elevation of 800 feet to 1200 feet. This is like the artistís easel, the sun is the paint, the vineyard the canvas. With this exposure comes cool air rising from the San Pablo bay maintaining a cool canopy microclimate with warm leaf temperatures from the sun. It is this feature that balances the refined tannins of aging ability with the warm astringent tannins that are so texturally important to the structure.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the leading variety planted at Monte Rosso with 80 acres. Many of the vines are older than 50 years, and since 1979, they have been the source of the winery's most distinguished wine, the Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon. Zinfandel is also widely planted at Monte Rosso, with about 90 acres of vines, including some that date back to the 1880s. Other varieties planted at Monte Rosso include Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Sangiovese, Semillon, Muscat and Folle Blanche.

WINES OF DEL RIO

Nestled in the western hills of Sonoma County lies a gentle valley, etched by the Russian River, cooled by the Marine influences of the Pacific Ocean. Lining the western edge of the valley are 1,000 to 1,200 foot hills of Franciscan Series soils. The story time tells is the story of erosion. The softer materials of the parent soils washed down into the river valley from these hills and the silt from up-river volcanic Lake County mixed in through the flooding of the Russian River. The climatic conditions are controlled by a dense marine surfaced-based fog that stretches inland like salt water taffy. Warm afternoons and very cool morning fogs focuses the taste of the terroir. Each variety of grapes expresses a high intensity of fruit, broad in character, yet soft in presentation.

GHOST PINES, NEW APPELLATION, NEW WINES

The most recent unveiling of our new Family Vineyard Selection Series is the 1998 Chiles Valley District -Napa Valley-Ghost Pines Cuvee Merlot. The weather is more continental then the River Valley as it lies to the east further from the ocean and experiences cooler nights and warmer days. The marine afternoon winds still play a major role however, blowing in over the Las Posadas State Forest and exiting down Sage Canyon. This climate and soil type lends itself beautifully to the growing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It creates very mouth filling deeply fruited wines with good intensity yet a warmth of texture that allows immediate enjoyment as well as good aging capacity.