Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Owner Fred Peterson is an iconoclast with an old-world winemaking philosophy and a devotion to sustainable farming. With decades of expertise, from 1985 to 1990, Fred was the Vineyard Manager of the legendary Ridge Vineyards. The Peterson approach is to capture the essence of vintage and vineyard, a philosophy they call ‘Zero Manipulation’, with low tech, yet high touch winemaking techniques to produce artisanal wines of a place: wines with soul. Based in the Dry Creek Valley in northern Sonoma County, Peterson Winery was established in 1987. Fred’s son Jamie became assistant winemaker in the summer of 2002 and by 2006, Jamie was given the overall responsibility of winemaker. As a team, Fred and Jamie meticulously assess the grapes from each vineyard and vintage, evaluating how the weather, soil and site are interacting for the particular vintage. The duo pour their heart and soul into every bottle, producing beautifully balanced wines which truly reflect the time and the place.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The Tollini Vineyard is located in Mendocino County’s Redwood Valley and has been in the Tollini family for three generations; now in the hands of Alvin Tollini. The Mendo Blendo is made up of predominantly Petit Sirah, where the vines are traditionally head trained and dry farmed. The Carignan blocks were originally planted by Alvin Tollini’s father and grandfather and old-vine, low yielding Carignan remains from the original plantings and produces concentrated, flavoursome fruit. Alvin’s father added to the acreage after he returned from WWII. The Syrah and Grenache were planted by Alvin using the same time-honoured techniques and sustainable approach and they add layers of depth, complexity and balance to the blend. The vines are planted on southwest facing benches in the Redwood Valley and are cultivated with a meticulously sustainable approach. The only treatment used in the vineyard is sulphur dusting, if required, and the vines are harvested by hand.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The gentlest winemaking techniques were employed to maximise flavours, aromas and the original essence of the grapes from the given vineyard and vintage. Spontaneous fermentation took place with natural yeasts and punch-downs and rackings to help the wine develop. The wine was then barrel-aged for 24 months in 16% new American oak, 8% two-year old Hungarian oak and 76% neutral barrels. Bottled without fining or filtration.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A smooth, yet robust wine showing lovely balance and complex aromas of ripe blackberry, black plum and hints of fine herbs. The palate is full of black raspberry and wild plum with notes of spicy pepper and cedar on the finish.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Petite Sirah 50%, Syrah 36%, Carignan 7%, Grenache 7%.