Grapes Planted at Elevate Vineyards
With having our vineyards all above 2800 feet, our success in growing wine grapes comes first from carefully choosing grapes that not only survive but thrive in this type of climate and conditions. Much of our early work revolved around investigating early ripening, cold hardy types of grapes. We found eight different varieties that we felt will have success. Here are the grapes:
THE REDS:
Dolcetto: The Dolcetto grape was originally planted in the piedmont area in northwestern Italy and has successfully made its way to both Australia and the United States but the piedmont is generally regarded as its spiritual home. This early ripening, easy growing grape grows well at cooler vineyard sites (particularly those at higher elevation). Happily, these cooler locations also help the variety to retain acidity and to avoid premature ripening. A Dolcetto wine is intensely and brightly colored and offers dark, gently spicy aromas with earthly undertones of almonds or perhaps walnuts in more tannic examples.
Marquette: The Marquette grape was first developed by the University of Minnesota Horticulture Research Center. The work done at the university of Minnesota is partly focused on how wine grapes can grow in that region making the Marquette grape a cold hardy variety. The Marquette grape exhibits cherry and black currant flavors and aromas typical of many hybrids but c an be more complex with integrated notes of blackberry, pepper, plum, tobacco, leather and spice. Named after Pere Marquette, a Jesuit missionary and explorer in America in the later 17th century.
Merlot: Many know the Merlot grape from the increasing popularity of the wine, but it fits in our vineyard because the Merlot is an early maturing grape variety that can ripen fully even in slightly colder climates. Its origin is southwest France but became extremely popular in northern Italy and southern Switzerland. Also, Chile, along the spine of the Andes Mountains, has built its wine reputation based mainly on the Merlot grape. Plum and black cherry are among the most common fruit-based flavors used and its known as smooth, rounded and easy drinking.
Cabernet Franc: Having its history dating back to the Bordeaux region of France in the seventeenth century, the Cabernet Franc grape (cloned variety FPS11) has a hardiness that works well on our vineyard. It is a medium-bodied red wine that’s appreciated for its savory bell pepper-like flavors with aromas of raspberry and bramble. Thus, the Cabernet Franc grape can lead to interesting and complex wines.
Malbec: Although its origins began in southwest France, the Malbec grape is increasingly known as the flagship grape of Argentina where is has gained tremendous popularity. The Mendoza region, at the foothills of the Andes Mountains, is the leading producer of Malbec wines. The grape leads to a medium-bodied to full-bodied dry red wine. Flavors of plums, blackberry and black cherry with relatively high tannin gives Malbec wines a decidedly drinkable wine.
THE WHITES:
Chardonnay 72: First originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France, it is one of the most prolific grapes grown. This clone, known as the Wente clone, is a white grape variety first planted in the Wente Vineyard in Monterey County in 1991. It is considered an early ripening grape which is perfect for our vineyard. Chardonnay is one of the easier grapes to cultivate because it adapts and ripens in a variety of differing climates and regions. One of the reasons this grape has gained popularity is because of its ease of growing and how both the viticulturist as well as the winemaker can modify their work with the grape to bring about stylistic changes. In cool climates, a chardonnay will have more citrus flavors verses a warm climate chardonnay which will have more tropical fruit flavors.
Pinot Gris: The white-grape Pinot Gris was originally from the vineyards of Burgundy, France. It is now grown in wine regions around the world. The grape was popularized in the late 20th century Italy which they referred to it as Pinot Grigio. Pinot Gris grapes are naturally low in acidity and high in sugars. Therefore, the finest Pinot Gris wines come from the world’s colder viticulture regions. Pinot Gris is pink skinned and have distinctive notes of pears, apples, and sweet spices.
THE TABLE GRAPES
If we’re growing grapes, why not grow some grapes to eat as well!
Vanessa: The Vanessa grape was developed by HRIO (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario), Canada, and is a red dessert grape of excellent quality. The vine is moderately vigorous and among the hardiest of the seedless grapes. Berries medium sized and the flavor is mild and fruity, and berry texture is firm. The fruit quality is among the best of the red seedless types. Yummy!
Source: Inland Desert Nursery, Washington grape information.