Scruffy Vermouth (500 ml) Extra Dry

Base Wine: The starting point and foundation of this vermouth is 2024 Riesling from Lost Hills Ranch in the rugged Yorkville Highlands AVA of Mendocino County. The ethereal nature of this site lends intense freshness with slight jasmine tea-like character.

The Vineyards: Lost Hills Ranch sits at about 1500 feet above sea level. Clone 1 Riesling is on a eastsoutheast facing slope comprised of sandstone and chloritic schist. A very unique soil profile, chloritic (blue) schist mimics limestone in many ways providing unexpected herbal aromas and chalky texture. The vines are cane pruned and 25 years old.

The Process: 2024 LHR Riesling was whole cluster direct pressed, fermented via indigenous yeast and malolactic bacteria and aged in neutral oak for 18 months prior to blending. Base wine was fortified up to ~18% abv with a dizzying array of high-proof brandy based botanical tinctures, 13 in total, including lemon peel, wormwood, gentian, orris root, mugwort, juniper and fennel. Residual sugar was increased with organic cane sugar for style and balance.