About Fogarty
Few wine regions on earth can match Santa Cruz Mountains’ climates, soils and vertigo-inspiring views. Set high in the mountains overlooking California’s Silicon Valley, the Thomas Fogarty winery has been making single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet from the SCM appellation since 1981. Fogarty’s two estates are divided into micro-vineyards, ranging from .25 to 5.25 acres, based on soil and topography. All are maritime (12-18 miles to Pacific), cool-climate (Regions I and II), high-elevation (1600-2300 feet), low yielding (1-3 tons per acre) and mountainous. The winery was founded by Dr. Thomas Fogarty, a Stanford cardiovascular surgeon and world-renowned inventor.
Vintage
2006 was a long vintage with consistently fine weather during harvest. We picked many varieties a full week to two weeks later than normal. The mild weather allowed for ripe flavors at lower sugar levels than in previous years. There was some Botrytis pressure in certain lots, but meticulous work ensured the elimination of any infected bunches.
Vineyards
We harvested our Gewürztraminer from Scheid Vineyards and Ventana Vineyards from September 19 - 26. Approximately 20% of the grapes were crushed into tank overnight. While the practice of skin-contact is fairly rare for modern white wines, we feel it adds to the texture and varietal character of our Gewurztraminer.
Winemaking
The grapes from both vineyards (Scheid and Ventana) were fermented separately using two separate yeast isolates from Alsace and Austria. A long, cold fermentation lasted into November when we finally achieved the sugar balance we wanted. At this point we racked the wine off its lees and chilled it to near freezing to arrest the fermentation. While the two separate lots had interesting characteristics of their own, the final blend is more complex and complete.
Tasting Notes
We bottled this wine under screw-cap to eliminate the possibility of cork taint. It should help preserve the clean fresh disposition we expect from our Gewürz’. Our ’06 bottling is one of our strongest ever. It has tell-tale Gewürztraminer aromas of rose and ginger, without being to cloying or ‘over- lycheed.’ There is pronounced minerality and acidity to help balance and complete the experience. Drink now and drink often!
TECHNICAL DATA:
Appellation
Monterey
WINEMAKER
Michael Martella
VINEYARDS
59% Ventana Vineyard
41% Scheid Vineyard
Residual Sugar: 0.4%
Finished alcohol: 14.5%
Acid/pH: .688/3.52
Total production: 2543 cases
Release date: October 15, 2007
California suggested retail: $17.00/750ml
