The 2017 Sarah’s Vinyeard Viognier is based on the noble variety of France’s Northern Rhone - responsible for the famed, rare whites of Condrieu and Château Grillet. Despite a surge in its popularity in California in the 1990s, there is still relatively little Viognier planted in the state. We currently have about an acre of Viognier planted in Block B2 of our Dwarf Oak home vineyard.
The ’17 S.V. Viognier demonstrates the grape’s unique appeal: flowery, perfumed white peach and pear fragrances with a hint of spice. On the palate, you’ll find citrus, peach, pear, and a creamy middle from the sur-lie with a touch of minerality on the finish. Pair with swordfish with a beurre blanc sauce or a cauliflower / goat cheese soufflé.
The 2017 vintage finally saw the end of the drought throughout California. Yields at harvest were slighlty above average. With lots of late fall and winter rain, we worked hard to control excess vigor and growth, to better focus the vines’ efforts on producing quality fruit.
We hand-harvested and whole cluster pressed our Viognier in mid-Sepetember of 2017. Fermentation began using yeast “Rhone 4600” in neutral French oak barrels. After the barrel fermentation, the wine was matured sur lie in the same neutral oak cooperage for ten months, with bâtonage stirrings every two weeks.
Appellation: Santa Clara Valley
Vineyard: Sarah's Estate
Grower: Tim Slater
Harvest Date: September 2017
Alcohol: 14.1
Cooperage: Neutral French oak, 10 months
Production: 204
