With most of the Pinot Noir fruit in, both our 667 and 777 clones of Pinot Noir from Sierra Madre Vineyard have fermented and are now going into barrel!  Lane is always the first to pick – which means our wines are also usually the first into barrel.  This results in wines that are lower in alcohol and also more age-worthy.

The Pinot Noir spent about 10 days in open-top fermenters.  We performed punch-downs three times a day, to mix in all that yummy fruit character.  The wines all went through a very slow ferment and went into barrel smelling beautiful.

We did bring in an extra ton of Pinot Noir this week from an undisclosed high-end Pinot Noir vineyard from the Santa Rita Hills, which will go into our final blend and add some extra depth and character.  Score!  That will represent about 10% of the final wine.  It is currently fermenting in an open-top bin.

The rest of the Chardonnay also came in this week – 4 tons from Sierra Madre Vineyard, Clone 15.  The Clone 15 took a little longer to ripen, but the juice is gorgeous – and will add a nice spicy note to the Chardonnay.  The Robert Young Clone of Chardonnay is now in barrel, having almost completed fermentation, with malolactic bubbling away.

Stay tuned for news on the Grenache – word is that it might be picked next week.

[vc_row show_full_width=”1″ padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”no-padding”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Lane Tanner, Angela Osborne, and Will Henry took a trip out to Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard to look at fruit for Lumen’s upcoming 2013 Grenache.  This vineyard is near the town of Cuyama, far east of the town or Santa Maria and at an elevation over 3,000 feet – making it the highest Grenache vineyard in California.

Will became fascinated with the Tribute to Grace Grenache, a wine made by Angela since the 2008 vintage.  As Will says, “this Grenache is not heavy like most, it is more medium-bodied like a Pinot Noir, and is absolute ambrosia.  It is a wine that is much more food-versatile, easy-drinking, and downright delightful than almost any other Grenache in the new world.”  So Will decided to get his partner and winemaker Lane Tanner together with the master of Grenache from this vineyard, New Zealander Angela Osborne.  The two hit it off instantly – and a great wine will most likely result.  With Angela’s guidance and Lane’s longtime winemaking skill, we can’t wait to see what Lumen produces!

In the meantime, you must try the wines from Grace.  Angela is not only a sweetheart, she makes one of the best wines on the planet.  To sign up for Grace wines, click here.

To sign up for the Lumen Wine Club and get on the list for this and other wines, click here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The 2013 harvest began in Sierra Madre vineyard with the picking of Pinot Noir Clone 667 on September 4.  Woohoo!  As usual, Lane Tanner (winemaker and co-owner) was the first to pick in the area – it’s her style, and what you get is a wine that is naturally lower in alcohol but beautiful, graceful, and downright delicious!   Nonetheless, harvest came very early this year.

Clone 777 quickly followed the 667, and both are now fermenting along smoothly at the winery.  Chardonnay just came in this week – on September 9 – with the Robert Young clone.  It is already showing such beautiful fruit flavor – this will make extraordinary wine.

The Chardonnay is now fermenting in oak barrels, and the Pinot Noir in open-top fermenters.  Will Henry (co-owner, pictured below) is managing the punch downs in the shortest shorts he can find – ostensibly to scare away VA bugs.

When Pinot Noir ferments, the CO2 rising from the liquid pushes the skins to the surface and forms a cap of grapes and skins.  Punch downs are where you break the cap on the open top fermenters, and mix the skins in with the fermenting juice.

More news later as harvest progresses!

Lumen’s inaugural release will be bottled next week!   The 2012 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both from a single premium vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, will be released in November for members of our wine club only (California release will be in January).  Sign up for The Lumen Wine Club to get details about upcoming releases, events, and to see how you can join our wine club.