Martha Stoumen Carignan Venturi 2022

Country: USA

Region: Mendocino County

Type: Red Wine

Grape: Carignan

Fruit for this wine, which Martha has been making since 2014, comes from the certified organic Venturi Vineyard in Calpella, Mendocino County; dry-farmed, 74-year-old Carignan vines. 100% whole clusters were fermented in an open-top stainless steel tank. About 25% of the clusters were foot-tread to encourage the onset of fermentation, while the remaining majority of the whole clusters were loaded on top. After 12 days, the fermenting juice was racked and returned back to the fermenting tank, and then the tank was sealed to allow an extended, uninterrupted maceration. In total, the Carignan macerated on skins for 25 days before pressing. The wine was kept on lees in neutral oak barrique for 8 months before blending and being bottled, unfined and unfiltered.

The Venturi Vineyard Carignan is much lighter bodied than most. This wine is particularly reflective of the vineyard site with its dusty tannins, and aromas of California chaparral and river stones.