Birdhorse Wines, Valdiguié 2020, Frediani Vineyard, Calistoga, Napa, CA

This "Napa Gamay" will keep you intrigued with notes of juicy berry, umami, five spice, and a hint of licorice on the finish.

COUNTRY: United State of America (USA)

STATE: CA

APPELLATION (AVA): Calistoga

REGION: Napa

SUBREGION: Napa Valley

VINEYARD: Frediani Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2020

GRAPES: Valdiguié

SOIL: Bale clay loam

PRACTICE: Organic, sustainable, biodynamic, dry farmed

VINIFICATION: For this wine, it was back to our experimental side. Two-thirds of the grapes were fermented with 50% whole clusters in an open-top bin and pressed off to neutral oak. The final one-third, we sealed up in a fully anaerobic fermentation vessel (i.e., a giant food grade plastic-bag) and left alone for two weeks.

STYLE: Still

COLOR: Deep berry, fuschia point

BODY: Medium to Full (7-8)

TASTE: Dry

PRIMARY AROMAS: Bright, red berries, pomegranates, and resinous spice

FLAVOR: Juicy berries and a hint of Chinese five spice combine with a structured palate and supple, chalky texture with just a touch of black licorice on the finish

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 14%

SERVICE AND SUGGESTION: Food pairings may include charcuterie, Brandade, Southern-fried chicken wings, or spicy and savory roasted vegetables.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: 
“Birdhorse represents a vision for the future of California winemaking, a vision anchored in a passion for diversification. We strive to showcase regions, varietals, and humans that have long had a presence in this industry but have yet to been celebrated by many of its constituents. We are driven by intellectual curiosity, transparency, science, and data, but most importantly an ardor for delicious wines and sharing them with the wider drinking public.”

ABOUT THE VINEYARDS: 
Frediani Vineyard:
“This year we are taking our Valdiguié back to its roots in the US, when Valdiguié was known as ‘Napa Gamay’. The Frediani Vineyard is located in Calistoga, CA on the north end of the Napa Valley where it has been cared for by Jim Frediani and his father before him since the early 1900s. We've taken to calling this wine our "Napa Napa Gamay." Dry-farmed for over 60 years, the Bale clay loam soils and hot day time temperatures in this vineyard produce concentrated, lush fruit.”

ABOUT THE LABEL:
“The Name -  Birdhorse is intended to evoke a sense of adventure and whimsey, rooted in the familiar - the same feeling we hope to express through each of our wines. It is a thing you can conjure in your mind’s eye, a faint outline, but requires an inquisitive and open mind to fill in the details. That is Birdhorse: a desire for understanding, grounded by our own experience and perception, fueled by our imagination.”

birdhorsewines.com