2006 Petite Sirah, Caton Vineyard
- AVA: Sonoma Valley
- Vineyard: Caton Vineyards
- Barrels Produced: 6
- Bottled: June 2008
VINEYARD | Located in the foothills of Sonoma Valley, Caton Vineyards is defined by varying sun exposures, altitudes and soil types. The multitude of growing conditions within one site provides winemakers with a variety of flavors and aromas.
VINTAGE | The 2006 vintage was truly a year won in the vineyard. Early rains in January helped established good ground water for later in the year. A heat spike lasted a record 10 days in July. Then came the rains, which sent us rushing to leaf the vines, allowing sunshine and air to reach the clusters. The rains stopped in late October and the weather warmed, giving grapes the time on the vines needed to reach full maturation. Overall, it was a late harvest of excellent quality fruit.
WINEMAKING | The wine underwent a 26-day maceration in an open top fermentor on skins to build body and mouthfeel in order to compliment the dark berry fruit.
Biodynamics
The highest form of organic farming, Biodynamics takes a holistic view of the farm as a living organism. Homeopathic applications enhance soil vitality, biodiversity helps balance the ecosystem and a closed nutrient system allows a site to develop true terrioir. 3rd party certified by the Demeter Assoication.
Biodynamics at BenzigerOrganics
Organic grape growing avoids the use of synthetic chemicals and uses natural methods like crop rotation, tillage and natural composts to maintain soil health as well as natural methods to control weeds, insects and other pests.
Certified Sustainable
Benziger’s third-party certified-sustainable program is one of the most comprehensive of any single winery in the country. The program, which emphasizes environmentally sound growing methods, such as biodiversity, soil revitalization and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the first step in transitioning a vineyard from conventional to organic.
Certified Sustainablewines at Benziger
