Croix Estate Fenceline Sauvignon Blanc, Croix Estate Vineyard, Laguna Ridge, Russian River Valley
WINEMAKER'S RECORD
Our estate vineyard Sauvignon Blanc continues to provide delightful surprises in small batches, as just two rows exist. Planted to Sauvignon Blanc Musqué clone, the term means both perfumed ("musky") and Muscat-like, and indicates that the variety or clone is highly aromatic. Whole cluster pressed into neutral French oak and aged sur-lie for 5 months, this wine has an enticing aroma of highly perfumed citrus blossom, spring vetch, white rose and gardenia. On the palate, bright acidity is delicately balanced with creamy nuances, creating a wonderful textural experience, finishing with Meyer lemon rind and sweet pink grapefruit
WAYPOINT GRAPE VARIETY(S): 100% Sauvignon Musqué
Our Croix Estate Vineyard is a heritage vineyard site located next door to the Fanucchi Wood Road Vineyard and across the drive from the Chelli and Belloni Vineyards. South of the Russian River near Forestville, the Laguna Ridge sub-region overlooks the Laguna de Santa Rosa. Pioneering winemaker Joseph Swan was the first to plant Pinot here. Goldridge and Altamont soils meet hot days and cool nights to create lush, high-quality Pinot Noirs and Zinfandels with enough tannins to provide structure for ageing.
Planted in 1904, the original vineyard comprised of 39 acres planted in sections to Zinfandel, Carignan, Alicante Bouchet, Petite Sirah, and Mataro. Original owners Dina Arata, Ruth Carli, and Lilli Marsh farmed the vineyards up until 1946 when the vineyard was sold to Cattabriga Gaetano who renamed the contiguous property, Cattabriga Gaetano Estate. Cattabriga had three daughters, Augusta, Josephine, and Inez. In addition to the original estate farmhouse (now Croix Estate’s farmhouse), two homes were built where Inez (now the Belloni Vineyard) and Augusta (now the Chelli Vineyard) lived with their families. In 1973 the land was parceled and sold into three sections: Robert Rue Vineyard, Belloni Vineyard, and Chelli vineyard, all bearing the new owners’ names respectively. In 2016, Kirk Venge purchased the 10-acre Robert Rue Vineyard section, which consisted of 90% Zinfandel and 10% Alicante Bouchet, along with a fenceline property border ridge of two vineyard rows planted to Sauvignon Musqué. Our estate vineyard is dry farmed on low pH/fertility sandy loam soils, set in a temperate growing environment where cool, foggy mornings give way to warm summer days, producing bold and powerful results.
PRODUCTION ESSENTIALS
Method |Wholecluster Press Via Gravity Flow To Neutral French Oak Aged Sur-Lie For 5 Months
Utilizing 100% Native Yeast Primary and Secondary Fermentations
Aging Regimen | 100% Neutral French Oak
Aging | 7 Months | 4 Barrels