Exciting New Arrivals From Ruth Lewandowski!
1/9/23 -
We are very happy to have some new wines from Ruth Lewandowski, made by our longtime friend and advocate for organic, low-intervention winemaking, Evan Lewandowski. Evan works with fruit from a number of vineyards across Mendocino County, one of California's northernmost winegrowing regions known for its diverse microclimates and high percentage of organically grown grapes. His wines always exhibit a freshness and purity unique to California but unsurprising given the history of the vineyards and his meticulous attention to detail during the winemaking process. We only got a small quantity this time around so be sure to grab some while they're still here!
Chilion and L. Stone come from the Fox Hill Vineyard, located in greater Mendocino between Hopland and Ukiah just up from the Russian River on an uplifted former riverbed. The soil is rocky and full of quartz and sandstone deposits, with some veins of clay running throughout. The vines have been farmed organically for the past five years but date back to the 1980s, when Lowell Stone replanted the site with some of the Italian and Portuguese varietals he had come to love. The wines showcase this distinct terroir with a sleek minerality and vibrant acid structure you don't always find in California wines.
Naomi comes from the historic Gibson Ranch, part of the McDowell Valley AVA. The vineyards date back to the early 1900s and consist of mostly Rhône varietals, with the Grenache Gris planted around 1910. Here the vines grow thick and gnarly like trees, basking in the warmth generated from the valley despite its slightly higher elevation. The soils are deep and well-drained gravelly loam, dry farmed with organic certification. The old vines impart a sense of power and concentration that Evan seems to coax out beautifully while retaining crisp acidity and wonderful tension. Meanwhile Elimelech comes from the legendary Cole Ranch, itself the smallest AVA in the United States. At 1400-1600ft elevation the climate is cool and well-suited for Riesling, often late-ripening and full of energy. The vineyards are composed of limestone based colluvial soils and are dry farmed. Lastly, Tatto is a blend from a number of sites, highlighting the diversity of Mendocino and the sheer variety of grapes grown there. It truly is one of the most exciting viticultural regions in the United States and these wines are great examples of why! Jeff DiLorenzo
