Growing Conditions

Donnelly Creek is perfectly suited for cool climate varieties. It is well known for the protective marine layer that gives way mid-day to sunshine - only to return in the evening.Located west of Boonville, the 50 acre vineyard sits on cobbly, clay loam soil by the creek bed.

Following heavy rains in February, budbreak began in Anderson Valley in the middle of March. With fully saturated soils and warmer than usual temperatures, the vines brought the 2014 fruit to maturity with great concentration and ripe tannins.

Harvest

After harvest at sunrise, the fruit from Donnelly Creek Vineyard travels to Saintsbury.

Winemaking

From there each block remains separate and receives gentle handling from the sorting table to small open-top fermenters for 5 days of cold soak prior to fermentaion. Total cuvaison was 11 days.