Purple Cow Vineyards

Field Grafting ... to what

Field grafting is a wonderful process.  Taking the science of grape vine biology, combined with skillful use of knife, tape, and paint, can transition a vine from one type of grape to another with only 1 lost season.

To be Purple Cow means to risk failure by trying something new.  We can't just be new once, we have to continuously innovate to stay ahead of copy-cats.  Tempranillo is fabulous and we expect it to succeed, but we have to be starting a new project right away because others are already moving into the Tempranillo space and it takes many years to "vet" a new varietal/terrior idea.

It's time we migrated our experimental vineyard over to new trials.  We are so confident in our new selection that Syrah, Cab Franc, and Tempranillo, all on 101-14, will be removed from our vineyard.  The Tempranillo obviously lives on via the transition to a commercial product on a different rootstock.  The Sryah was restarted last year as an experiment on a different rootstock.  Cab Franc will be abandoned.

What's going in?  That's the fun.  We're not so naive as to think it will remain a secret, but we're not going to be the ones to publish it.  Come by and visit, ask about it, and see if you can pry the information out of us.  A few have done so.

Daylight Saving Time

I used to love our alarm clock because it automatically adjusted to Daylight Saving Time at the correct date.  Then Congress pulled in the start and pushed out the end of DST and now I have to manage it myself, 4 times instead of 2.

This weekend (March 8th) marks the beginning of DST in the US.  Remember to set your clocks. 

2007 Sophie's Edition Pinot Noir Overview

We're getting ready to release the 2007 Sophie's Edition Pinot Noir.  It's time for a little backgound on this product.

First off, it's dramatically different from the 2006 Sophie's Edition.  We're all clear that 2007 vintage was a lot cooler than 2006, but there is more to it in this case.  First, the fruit is from a different source.  We no longer use the all-Pommard fruit from the Ruby Carbiener Vineyards.  Starting with 2007, the Sophie's Edition is produced from Dijon 777 and Dijon 667 growing at Provincial Vineyards, located on top of the same hill.

Secondly, we extended the barrel time by 4 months.  Increasing the barrel aging to 13 months added texture to the palate that we expected to be absent with the lighter fruit.  It's amazing how much structure this wine has when you look at its light color before tasting it.

Third, the aforementioned vintage differences.  2007 experienced a rainy late summer and early fall.  It delayed sugar intensity which resulted in adding 2 weeks to the hang time.

To sum it all up, I don't know exactly how this wine is going to turn out.  We know it will be light.  I think the aromas are going to trend toward pie cherry and more acidic berries like elderberry.  There's lots of oak on it and it is easily picked up both on the nose and on the palate.  I plan to enjoy this in accompaniment of fish and white meats, an excuse to eat healthy.  -Jon-

Buy this wine online.

Open March 8th

The wine club is getting fairly big so we feel it's best if you have 2 days available to grab your club packages.  Also, the SIP 47 association is doing a promo event this same weekend so it could be very busy.  If you're in the club, please note that you can pick up either Saturday or Sunday this weekend.  I'm looking forward to cracking open some Foch to share.