Winemaker Notes

The Spell Rosé is produced from the Saignée (French for “bleed”) of the Pinot Noir. The juice for this wine is removed (“bled”) from each lot of Pinot Noir as it is being destemmed into the fermenter.  It is transferred to a stainless steel tank which is maintained at 50 degrees F to promote a slow, cool fermentation that preserves the fantastic aromatics.   Once the primary fermentation has completed (2-4 weeks after the last lot of Pinot Noir is process) the wine is moved to a selection of neutral French oak and stainless steel barrels for another 6 weeks of aging before bottling in January.

The 2015 Spell Rosé is lighter in color than previous vintages, it still maintains a faint salmon color.  Aromas of white strawberry, candied cherries, and a smoky minerality fill the glass.  Light on the palate and fun to drink, flavors of fresh spring strawberries and raspberries flow over the tongue.  Tangy acidity and a refreshing finish beg for the warm days of summer.  Serve chilled and drink now or over the next eight months.  This wine may develop a sediment that does not influence the quality of the wine and is a result of our small lot production.    

Oak: 20% stainless steel, 80% neutral French oak
Harvest Dates: September 4 – 12, 2015
Bottled: January 26, 2016
Alc: 14.2%
Cases Produced: 220

The Vineyard

The Alder Springs Vineyard is located 12 miles west of the Pacific Ocean, overlooking the town of Laytonville in the center of Mendocino County. The fruit for the Spell wines comes from three distinct blocks located at an elevation between 1700 to 1900 feet on a Southeastern facing slope. 3 Tiers, which makes up the majority of the blend, is planted to Dijon clone 459 and heritage clones of DRC and Calera. The Upper West Vineyard is planted to Dijon clones 667 and 777 and the Upper Vineyard is planted to Dijon clones 115, 667, and 777. The low-vigor, volcanic-based soils produce wines of distinctive old ‰world character.

Winemaker Notes

The 2013 Alder Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir is vivid violet in color, aromas of blueberry, ripe raspberry, dried rose pedals, clay, smoke, peat, and ground coffee drift from the bowl. Youthful red fruit flavors, juniper berry, espresso and a mineral element are seamlessly balanced with powdery-dry tannins and lively acidity. Like its brother, the Weir Vineyard pinot noir, this wine has the potential to age gracefully for those with the space and time to cellar a few bottles over the next decade.

Oak: 100% French oak; 43% new oak, 14% once used and 43% older.
Clones: Dijon 459, 115, 667, and 777, selections of Calera and DRC
Harvest Dates: 3Tiers, Upper and Upper West blocks – September 14, 2013
Bottled: August 11, 2014
Alc: 13.9%
Cases Produced: 126

The Terra de Promissio Vineyard is owned and managed by Charles and Diana Karren with the help of Diana‰’s parents it is a true family operation. Planted in 2002 to Pinot Noir clones 777 and 115 it is located east of Petaluma on a rolling hill in what is unofficially referred to as the Petaluma Gap of the Sonoma Coast AVA. Buffeted by cold maritime winds the fruit ripens slowly and produces wines of exceptional elegance and purity.

The Spell Terra de Promissio Vineyard Pinot Noir is dark violet in color and has aromas of cherry, strawberry, oats, all spice, anise, sassafras add to a brooding quality in the glass. Flavors of cranberry and pomegranate hinting towards darker fruit and forest duff sweep across the palate.  Balanced by smooth tannins and perfect acidity flavors of black cherry and bitter chocolate seem to linger for eternity. Drink now or over the next 5 to 7 years.

Oak: 100% French; 40% new, 25% once used and 35% older.
Clones: Dijon 115
Harvest Dates: October 11, 2012
Bottled: August 8, 2013
Alc: 14.3%
Cases Produced: 148

The Alder Springs Vineyard is located 12 miles west of the Pacific Ocean, overlooking the town of Laytonville in the center of Mendocino County. The fruit for the Spell wines comes from three distinct blocks located at an elevation between 1700 to 1900 feet on a Southeastern facing slope. 3 Tiers, which makes up the majority of the blend, is planted to Dijon clone 459 and heritage clones of DRC and Calera. The Upper West Vineyard is planted to Dijon clones 667 and 777 and the Upper Vineyard is planted to Dijon clones 115, 667, and 777. The low-vigor, volcanic-based soils produce wines of distinctive old ‰world character.

Dark violet in color, aromas of blueberry, ripe raspberry, dried rose pedals, clay, smoke, peat, and ground sage spring from the glass. Youthful red fruit flavors, juniper berry, espresso and a mineral element are seamlessly balanced with powdery-dry tannins and lively acidity. Enjoyable now, this wine shows potential for age-ability and should reward those with the space and time to cellar a few bottles over the next decade.

Oak: 100% French oak; 40% new oak, 25% once used and 35% older.
Clones: Dijon 459, 115, 667, and 777, selections of Calera and DRC
Harvest Dates: 3Tiers – September 27, 2012, Upper and Upper West blocks – October 9, 2012
Bottled: August 8, 2013
Alc: 14.2%
Cases Produced: 148

The Weir Vineyard in the Yorkville Highlands is located on a south facing hillside of rocky gravely soils at an elevation that ranges between 850 and 1000 feet. Cool ocean air funnels up the Anderson Valley to regulate the ripening of the exceptional fruit from this vineyard.

The suggestive 2013 Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir is introduced by red, ruby color. Aromas of red fruit and bramble mix with aromas of violets, crushed dried herbs, leather, and tobacco leaf. Flavors of raspberry, cherry, and cranberry dance with savory notes of smoked meat, sweet pipe tobacco, and black tea. The full expression of this youthful and complex wine seems to hide behind the structure present at this point. Designed to age, but enjoyable now, those who are patent will reap the greatest reward. Drink now or over the next decade.

Oak: 100% French oak, 43% new oak, 28.5% once used and 28.5% older
Clones: Rochioli Pommard, 2A, and DRC
Harvest Dates: September 18, 2013
Bottled: August 11, 2014
Alc: 13.9%
Bottled Produced: 3

The Marimar Estate Vineyard lies on a hillside overlooking the township of Freestone on the western edge of the Sonoma Coast appellation. This special vineyard benefits from Goldridge soils and a cool marine influence, naturally controlling yields to produce concentrated, exotic wines.

The Spell Marimar Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011’s dark ruby, almost purple color introduces this beautiful wine. Crisply focused aromas of red raspberry and wild cherry mingle with scents of forest floor, roasted grain, orange zest, cinnamon, clove and rose petals. The ripe red fruit flavors paired with Garam Marsala and sumac spice notes carry through to the finish, highlighted by a lingering mineral element. Drink now or over the next 7-8 years.