Ashanta Wines 2022 'Under Currents' Carignan, Testa Vineyard, Mendocino

Vineyard Notes: Grapes come from the acclaimed Testa Vineyard, one of the oldest certified biodynamic and organic vineyards in California. The Testa family are generational Italian grape growers, who first planted vines in Mendocino in the late 1800s. The 85-year old Carignan vines are dry-farmed. Their roots dig nearly 40 feet deep, creating an incredibly dynamic and balanced wine.

Winemaking Notes: The Carignan was 50% destemmed and crushed on top of 50% whole cluster into two sealable open-top fermenters. The grapes were allowed to ferment slowly outdoors for 2.5 weeks with gentle hand punchdowns and foot treading. Once the ferment wa dry and the cap sunk, the bins were fully sealed and the Carignan was left on the skins for 100 days. After this they were very gently pressed and aged in French neutral oak for 20 months, during which time it was racked once.