Shanel Vineyard Syrah is from Sonoma Mountain. When it arrived at Ramey it was still very cool to the touch. Almost as if we had just pulled it from the fridge. That's a result of these cool Sonoma Coast mornings. Today it is starting out in the 50s.
Greetings again from my new office, Flying Goat Coffee on the Healdsburg Square!
You actually do stomp grapes at Ramey. Literally. The Syrahs. We put 25% whole clusters right into those big stainless tanks. Then we put the rest of the grapes through that whole hopper-destemmer-auger process that I explained. That's Denise getting into the tank. (yes, she did just sanitize those boots). Steve is going to start throwing buckets of grapes in after her. Several tons worth!
The Shanel vineyard gives fruit-forward, jammy Syrah. By adding those whole clusters to the tank it adds structure, complexity, and some other flavor dimensions including a peppery component to balance out that fruit (thanks to our enologist, Lydia, for that explanation).
So, sorry I didn't return your calls but I was knee-deep in Shanel Syrah grapes! Truly a team effort.
