This bottle is part of a collaboration with Lightwell Survey Wines.

Fruit

70% Traminette, 30% Ribston Pippin, Trimlett’s Bitter, Frequin Rouge

Site
Barren Ridge Vineyards - Fishersville, Augusta County, Virginia 1400’ elevation
Countryside Farm and Nursery - Crimora, Augusta County, Virginia 1260’ elevation

Vinification
Traminette grapes were harvested and pressed on September 15th. 200 liters of such was exchanged for 200 liters of Ashmead’s Kernel juice and transported back to our cellar at the farm. Upon arrival, apples were ground directly into the tank of Traminette and allowed to macerate for three days. Manual punchdowns occurred twice daily. Free run juice was racked off directly to a neutral, French oak barrel. The macerated apples were pressed to glass demijohns. Upon completing an uninoculated native fermentation, the barrel was topped up with some of the press wine and left undisturbed for four months. Both vessels were racked off their gross and fine lees in February and bottled still. No SO2 was added at any stage of this wine.

Notes
Moving into the third year of this collaboration, both us and Lightwell Survey wanted to further differentiate our individual bottlings. Instead of working with a relatively similar fruit bill like year’s past, we decided we would supply each other with desired fruit of choice, allowing for our own house styles to shine through. I had been bugging Ben for access to some Traminette for years and finally got the opportunity. Our objective was a continued pursuit of finding true balance between the grape and apple components. Even though this bottling is nearly 3/4 grape, the macerated apples find away to punch above their percentage. This wine’s polished nose dances between both fruits. Traminette’s otherwise profuse aroma of white pepper and lilac is kept in balance by the precise pop of bright apple skins. On the pallet this year’s collab features much less texture and far more acid, shining through until it meets lingering apple tannin, creating a tight and lasting finish.

31 Cases Produced, Alc. 9.6% by Volume, 750mL

*Available for shipments in Virginia & Washington DC OR pick-up at Oakley Farm. Ship to other states here. Shipments may be delayed based on temperatures.