2024 Lagrein Red

THE STORY: After seven vintages of making Lagrein as a rosé, last year we made our first red from the site and this year we couldn't wait to do it again. Lagrein is an alpine variety best known in Italy's Alto Adige, where mountain air and cool nights help preserve its natural acidity and vibrant character. Those same conditions can be found at Lone Pine Vineyard in El Dorado County, perched at 1,700 feet in the Sierra Foothills on a mix of volcanic rock, shale, and decomposed granite. The site's elevation and rocky soils encourage slow, even ripening, producing fruit with concentrated flavor, bright acidity, and refined tannin.

We harvested the fruit in mid-September, mostly destemming the clusters with a small amount of whole cluster layered into each fermenter. The wine fermented with native yeast and received twice-daily punch-downs for three weeks before being basket pressed into neutral French oak barriques, where it aged without overt oak influence, allowing the vineyard's mineral character and Lagrein's dark fruit and savory profile to shine. Total aging was 11 months.

FUN FACT: The inspiration for working with Lagrein comes from our enjoyment of Nusserhoff Lagrein and Legrain Rosé from Bolzano, Italy.