Craftwork Wines

Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes are destemmed, crushed, and fermented in small lots in open top fermenters. Next the firm cap of skins and seeds that bubble up and form on the surface during red fermentation is gently "punched down" several times a day. Punching down is a traditional method that gives the skins as much contact with the fermenting wine as possible, allowing the color and the phenols from the skins to be transferred to the wine. After a 10-day fermentation in stainless tanks, the wine is aged with a combination of French and American oak to round out and soften the rich, black fruit flavors.