VINEYARD:  McNab Ranch is located in Mendocino County between Hopland and Ukiah, in a small valley west of Hwy 101. McNab Ranch is farmed Biodynamically using natural composting, cover crops and beneficial insects in place of conventional farming techniques. While Biodynamic farming is complex and time consuming, the purity and balance of varietal flavor in the final wine is ample reward.

VINIFICATION: Great care is taken to capture and preserve the distinct character of McNab Ranch. Biodynamic farming encourages a unique population of bacteria and yeast both in the soil and in the grape. These unique components are what give the wine a character and flavor distinct to McNab Ranch. We use the indigenous yeast to perform the fermentation, yielding a flavor profile that is one of a kind. Throughout the winemaking process we use a “hands-off” approach, watching closely and only intervening when absolutely necessary. This wine underwent a long, slow fermentation, finishing in barrel and resting on lees for nearly a year to build body and mouthfeel. In total the wine was aged in French and American oak for 18 months before being bottled, in June, 2001. Alcohol 13.9, pH ..57, Total acidity .05, Residual sugar 13.9.

VINTAGE: For growing seasons with unique personality, 1999 did not disappoint. We did see some hot weather but much less than normal. We had good weather for bud- break and bloom that helped insure a good set.  Because of the late season, which creates the potential for fruit not to ripen – we employed judicious irrigation during the summer to control growth and uniformity and we crop thinned after veraison to aid in ripening. As we entered mid September (latest ever), we prayed for heat and got it. Once harvest began in earnest in late September things went very quickly, by October 23rd it was effectively over.