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2021 Old Stake 1901 "Field Blend"

This wine comes from our Old Stake 1901 Vineyard in Lake County’s Kelsey Bench AVA, and is a “Field Blend” of unique Old World varieties, with some vines planted 120 years ago - in the year 1901. The vineyard boasts some of Lake County's oldest vines and is registered with the Historical Vineyard Society.

Mirroring the vineyard, the wine is a treasure trove of pre-Prohibition grape varieties with an emphasis on Zinfandel, Cinsault and Alicante Bouschet. The blend is accented by plantings of Touriga Naçional, Syrah, Primitivo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Counoise, and a host of other interesting grape varieties. To date we have identified 24, with many rarely found in California’s north coast. The grapes are harvested together and co-fermented in the style of traditional field blends then aged for 8 months in French oak.

With a color dancing between red and deep purple, this opulent and vibrant glass of wine gives off aromas of wild iris, sandalwood and blueberry pie. The palate is enlivened by a steady, generous flow of brambly huckleberry and bright blackberry flavors. The mid-palate is accented by a refreshing acidity that pleasantly escorts you to subtle spice notes of wild thyme, white pepper and lavender on the way to a lengthy and lingering smooth mocha finish.

In Stock

Wine Specs

Varietal

Mixed varietals (20+)

Appellation

Kelsey Bench

Vineyard Designation

Old Stake 1901 Vineyard

Harvest Date

October 2, 2021

Aging

6 months in French oak

Alcohol %

14.5

2020 Old Stake 1901 Notes

Wine Profile

Tasting Notes

Vineyard Notes

Lake County’s Kelsey Bench AVA was originally a pyroclastic flow, and is a transition between the volcanic Mayacamas Mountains to the west and the alluvial flood plain of Clear Lake to the east. The soils in the vineyard reflect this transition, offering mildly rocky, red volcanic elements mixed with alluvial loams. The vineyard sits at 1,450 ft. and this elevation, along with the cooling effects of the lake and the nearby mountains, create 50°F diurnal temperature swings, producing wine of excellent acidity, improved tannin structure and darker, more complex fruit characteristics

Production Notes

The entirety of the 20+ different varieties of grapes are hand-harvested together from the 7-acre, head pruned vineyard in a single nighttime picking session. The fruit is then transported to the winery where all of the assorted varieties are co-fermented together in a style similar to the traditional Old World field blends and then aged for 6 months in French oak. To finish the wine, we bottle unfiltered and unfined to retain the Old Stake’s characteristic freshness and unique aromatic qualities.

Winemaker Notes

This wine is a "Field Blend" of pre-Prohibition grape varieties with the dominant varieties being Zinfandel, Cinsault and Alicante Bouschet. The blend is accented by plantings of Touriga Naçional, Syrah, Primitivo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Counoise, as well as some white varieties including: Rousanne, Riesling and Muscat de Alexandria. All the grapes are harvested and co-fermented together in the style of traditional field blends, then aged for 8 months in French oak. To finish the wine, we bottle unfiltered and unfined to enhance the fresh aromatics, that precede the multiple layers of rustic dark fruit, mocha and spice flavors.