Ruth Lewandowski Wines 2020 'Chilion Zero' Skin Contact Cortese, Fox Hill Vineyard, Mendocino County
Item Number: 17881
UPC: None
Country: USA
Region: California
Sub Region: Mendocino
Appellation/AVA: Mendocino County
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vineyard Designation: Fox Hill Vineyard
Vintage: 2020
Grape(s): 100% Cortese
Type: Wine - Orange
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 13.2
Total Acidity: 6.1 g/L
pH: 3.65
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Soil Type: Alluvial, rocky sandy clay loam derived from sandstone
Elevation: 650 feet
Case Production: 285
Vine Age: ~30 years
Winemaking Notes: The Cortese is destemmed and ferments naturally with full skin and extended maceration for 6+ months. There is no temperature control or fermentation aids of any sort. Chilion goes through full native malolactic conversion. The skins are pressed on the spring equinox of 2021. The wine ages for another 6 months in neutral barrels and egg shaped tanks. No sulfites are employed at any point.
Wine Notes: Two acres of Cortese are farmed at Fox Hill Vineyard. That's roughly 1/6th of all Cortese planted in the United States. Cortese will always be a rarity in California and the United States, but Cortese with 6(+) months of skin contact doubles down on the uncommonness of it all. Chilion is a chance for all to see the incredible complexity of the Cortese grape. The extended maceration provides amplified spice, herbs, and phenolics, which are different than we're all accustomed to with this particular grape.
Vineyard Notes: As a young man, Lowell Stone fell head over heels for Italy, particularly it’s wine culture. In the late 80's, he took to replanting the entire property, converting it over from mostly Chardonnay and Riesling to many obscure Italian varieties (with a few acres of two Portuguese varieties thrown in for good measure). Today, it's a library of grapevines from nurseries, friends, and the odd 'suitcase' cuttings. Fox Hill rests between Hopland and Ukiah just up from the Russian River on benchland called the Talmage Bench. Uplifted former riverbed, Fox Hill is predominantly sandstone based – very rocky and pebbly, with a large amount of quartz. Evan Lewandowski farms his plots with Sam Bilbro. Sam and Evan make up Wild Ruth Farming, a collaboration that focuses on holistic farming practices that reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides.