Upsidedown Wine, "Cluster F@*#!!" 2021, Carbonic Grenache, Equus Vineyard, Yakima, WA

This 100% carbonic grenache is vibrant with ripe red raspberries, balanced by aromas of chocolate, smoke, herbs, and a little bit of minerality. It goes down real easy.

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: Washington

APPELLATION (AVA): Yakima

REGION: Yakima County

SUBREGION: Moxee Valley

VINEYARD: Equus Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2021

GRAPES: Grenache

SOIL: Rocky, silt loam

PRACTICE: Sustainable

VINIFICATION: Native fermentation, no additions. Full carbonic fermentation, 2.5 weeks closed stainless tank. 6 months sans soufre on lees in 500L neutral oak, 15 ppm added before bottling.

STYLE: Still

COLOR: Medium ruby

BODY: Light to medium

TASTE: Dry

TANNINS: Light

PRIMARY AROMAS: Crushed raspberry, chocolate, mint, maple syrup, thyme

FLAVOR: Fresh, vibrant red fruit, smoky, stony, minerality, herbs

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 13.4%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: Serve slightly chilled. It would be a great wine to bring to a summer barbecue, and pair with veggies and meat.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Upsidedown Wines

Seth and Audrey Kitzke are the couple behind Upsidedown Wines. 

“Growing up in agriculture was ingrained in both of us from a young age. Audrey started in Oregon later moving to Washington and Seth on his family’s farm in Eastern Washington. After meeting in college, a little luck and agreeing on life’s simple views the stars aligned. We got married and Seth went back to school for enology.

“A few years passed and we agreed to move from Seattle to take over our family’s vineyards and start Upsidedown Wine. From there we farmed our vineyards and expanded into our own production space while opening a tasting room in downtown Hood River, Or. Now we have the best little baby girl Sage and are about to open our second tasting room in Cle Elum, WA.” (upsidedownwine.com)

ABOUT THE VINEYARD: Equus Vineyard

“The high elevation Equus Vineyard sits above the Missoula flood plains north of Yakima Valley. This is one of the few vineyards in the cool temperatures of Moxee Valley. The site spans from 1400 feet to 1500 feet on a beautiful southern exposure that is filled with ancient riverbed stones and clay. Slow steady ripening and great acid retention drive one of the longest hang times in Washington State. This leads to wild brambly fruit profiles and aromatics that transcend you to wildflower meadows in the foothills of Cascade Mountain range.” (upsidedownwine.com)

PRODUCTION: 125 cases.