2023 Verdelho
DESCRIPTION
Verdelho is a refreshing and vibrant wine with a lean, crisp structure that packs a cornucopia of fruit character ranging from exotic guava, passion fruit, and gooseberry characters to bright lemon and grapefruit nuances.
WINEMAKING NOTES
Verdelho is fermented in stainless steel.
VINEYARD NOTES
Verdelho is harvested September 9th, 2023. It is grown on our South East facing slopes in the Temecula Valley (Carter Estate Vineyards and Temecula Springs Vineyards). This allows an even ripening. As the sun rises to the east, the grapes will benefit from morning warmth and sun but will not be directly in the sun as it sets to the west; the perfect amount of warmth throughout the day. Carter Estate Vineyards is a 62-acre vineyard located in the Temecula Valley. Early morning influence of the Pacific Ocean flows through the coastal mountain range, spilling cool morning clouds and marine layer over the valley. This cooling influence allows the grapes to retain their acid as the clouds burn off, making way for the warm summer sun that allows the ripening process to continue. These are ideal conditions for making crisp white wines and well-structured sparkling wines. Vines are VSP trained; a trellising technique that allows for optimum sun exposure. This vineyard has soils of loam, sandy loam and decomposed granite which are good for grapevine growth with its mixture of sand, silt and clay. It can drain effectively but also keeps nutrients and water available for the vines. A cover crop of pea, barley, bean and vetch is planted between the rows in the winter months to keep our soils healthy, retain water and suppress weeds. Temecula Springs is a 26-acre vineyard located in the Temecula Valley. It has early morning influence of the Pacific Ocean. Cool air flows through the coastal mountain range spilling morning clouds and marine layer over the valley. This cooling influence allows the grapes to retain their acid as the clouds burn off making way for warm summer sun, which allows the ripening process to continue. This vineyard has soils of loam, sandy loam and decomposed granite which are good for grapevine growth with a mixture of sand, silt and clay. It can drain effectively but also keeps nutrients and water available for the vines. A cover crop of Pea, barley, bean and vetch is planted between the rows in the winter months to keep our soils healthy, to retain water and suppress weeds.