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This Spring it is 10 years since we planted the first 7 blocks of the FORT ROSS VINEYARD. We had been told that the land was too steep, too near the ocean and too cold to ripen grapes - and these first 7 blocks were the "easiest" to tackle, taking from 1994 - 1998 to prepare the site to deal with an annual rainfall of 75 - 125" of rain, more than the Amazon Jungle!
We worked 4 days a week in the vineyard & 3 days a week in the City to pay for this folly. Things got easier when we persuaded Ciro to help us in the vineyard, but we had to drive 1 hour to get him in Guerneville, another hour back to the vineyard - and then repeat this"round trip" at the end of the day. (I am truly devoted to my Hybrid)
We now have planted 28 blocks of grapes that cling to the steep ridges, about 7 miles North of the mouth of the Russian River, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Planting each additional block was more challenging than the last as they became steeper and steeper.
To complicate the situation further, we carefully chose very low yielding vineyard selections for their intense & complex flavors - also renowned for their light crop load & finicky nature....
In the beginning we did not understand why we were considered "crazy" as we were too involved in the project to have any perspective. We got our first hint when one member of our crew asked us whether we should consider "getting a life"...
Yesterday I barrel tasted through the 2007 Vintage and was again delighted by the seductive nose, the complex flavor, the balance between luscious fruit & structure and the lingering finish - and realized that the "impossible" is possible - if you declare it to be so.
We still are marching to our own "in-house" drummer. We release each wine by "audition" & if we feel that it needs more time in the cellar we wait. Sometimes we wait & wait. And some calendar years we will be releasing at the same time wine from 3 different vintages. Contrary to custom, our 2006 Rosé of Pinot Noir has just reached its perfection while our 2007 Rosé will linger in the cellar until it no longer needs to be "carded"!
We would like to thank our patient & loyal supporters, who discovered the joys of our labor and have grown to trust our release criteria - and know that Fort Ross wines will not be en-route to the wine glass....until they are good and ready...
Sincerely,
Linda & Lester Schwartz
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