2022 Upton Vineyard 'Monster Party' Pet Nat of Petite Sirah

Grapes: Petite Sirah

Vineyard: Farmed by John and Jan Upton, the twenty-five acres under vine at Upton Vineyard are all CCOF certified organic and were planted in the 1960s on the characteristic loam soils. Varietals include Sauvignon Blanc, Petite Sirah, and Sangiovese. The climate of the upland Redwood Valley AVA experiences more of a diurnal temperature shift than surrounding appellations due to a gap in the coastal ridge which funnels cool Pacific air currents through to the Valley. This leads to a more gradual ripening of refined and complex fruit. 

AVA: Redwood Valley

Method: We harvested this old-vine, dry-farmed Petite Sirah with brightness and freshness in mind. After destemming the fruit, we allowed it to undergo maceration for five days with no cap management. We then pressed the juice off the skins and let it ferment in tank until it reached 12 g/L of residual sugar, at which point the tank was chilled. The juice was then racked and bottled under crown cap where it finished fermentation in the bottle to give it its soft effervescence. No disgorging, fining, filtration, or SO2 added in the process.

Tastes and Smells: Hibiscus syrup, tart bing cherry, extra ripe pomegranate 

ABV: 11.3%

Cases: 410

Bottling Date: November 2022

Release Date:  May 2023