Suisun Valley Wine

• Silver Medal at the 2006 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
• Bronze Medal at the 2005 Riverside International Wine Competition
• Bronze Medal at the 2005 California State Fair Wine Competition

• 100% from 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown at our vineyards
  
• Grapes were harvested between September 29th and October 18th, 2003 to optimize the sugar content at 26 Brix and the PH at 3.4
  
• Processed and bottled at Catacula Lake Winery in Napa Valley
  
• Aged for 12 months in a mix of small French and American oak barrels
  
• Bottled in February 2005
  
• Cases produced 2500

Suisun Valley during geologic times was carved out by the Suisun Creek, the Gordon Creek and the Ledgewood Creek within the southern plunges of the Coast Range. Mankas Hills are situated between the Vaca Mountains on the east and George Range on the west.

The area enjoys a unique blend of generous day time sun and cool afternoon breezes out of the nearby San Pablo and Grizzly Bays. Fog hardly ever penetrates into Suisun Valley due to the protection from the Pacific Ocean by the George Range.

Upland soil, gravelly loam, characterizes the fan deposits of our Mankas Hills Vineyards. The soil deposited by the erosion of volcanic rocks in the west and cretaceous sandstones in the east is rich in minerals. Quick draining and warm is ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon. Sycamore silty clay loam and San Ysidro sand loam in the meanderings of the creeks are also ideal for Merlot, Gamay, Shiraz, and Sauvignon Blanc.

The unique combination of moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights creates a low speed ripening environment and provides the ideal climate for the growing of ultra-premium quality grapes.

Our vineyards are situated on prime gravelly loam land with ideal slope and drainage to grow Cabernet Sauvignon. Particular attention was paid to lay down the vine trellis to optimize drainage and light exposure.

Crop management starts with pruning in late January or early February. Joe takes personal care of pruning. He knows his vines and every nuance of the "terroir" and keeps his vines in perfect balance to achieve the highest quality grapes.

In late July and August a lot of attention is paid to knitting the vines canopy, dropping foliage, thinning the crop and plucking leaves around the fruit to optimize the exposure and give the wine the best flavor and character.

Our vineyards are also equipped with a modern irrigation system in case water is needed. Irrigation water is used only as a fall-back to keep the vines in perfect balance if the climate turns too dry. Careful attention is dedicated to optimize sugar, acid and PH.

Harvest of our Cabernet Sauvignon is done during the last week of September and the first two weeks of October. We like to have a perfect ripening of our grapes to develop a lush wine with well balanced aromas and character.