Yesterday I caught our cellar assistant, Maurilio Camarillo "red-handed" with bags of berries for sugar sampling and pH tests (our lab is adjacent to the winery office).
With 28 distinct vineyard "blocks" or sections in just under 27 acres - we're doing a lot of berry sampling around the estate vineyard. Alan Viader, winemaker and director of operations, told me this morning that the estate Syrah will be the first variety picked. Skins are dark purple with huge flavor, rich tannins, great texture and the seeds are ripe and brown... We should be picking this Monday!
On our estate vineyard on lower Howell Mountain, we cultivate Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, a tiny bit of Petit Verdot, Syrah and an even tinier bit of Malbec. In addition, we also bring in limited fruit from other Napa vineyards for varietal wines in our "DARE by Viader" line, like the DARE Tempranillo.
This year, we're even taking a stab at something completely new for VIADER -- Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Trough friends, Alan discovered a block of Sauvignon Blanc off the Silverado Trail, and the Pinot is from the Sonoma Coast AVA. Our first white wine ever will be harvested tonight! Stay tuned...
Warmly,
Janet Viader
sales & marketing at VIADER
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