Vineyard Article
Family Farm Vineyard
Last edited on 6/7/2016 by shemmy
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Rhys Vineyards Family Farm pinot noir photographed in November 2006.
Family Farm Vineyard
Fruit set at Family Farm in the regrafted suitcase selections.
2016 fruit set at Family Farm Vineyard in the regrafted suitcase selections.
Along with Alpine vineyard, the development of Family Farm vineyard started in the year 2000. As we began to understand the site better, we realized that we could increase quality with a selection of smaller-berried, heritage and suitcase Pinot Noir cuttings. Regrafting these grapevines was not an easy choice since it meant that the vines would not be fully productive for 2 or more years. Nevertheless, between the years 2007 and 2010 we regrafted over half of the 6 acre vineyard. Fortunately, after this short-term pain was over it became clear that these choices lead to a definite increase in quality. Today Family Farm is mature with stout vines and the wine is showing increasing depth with an almost old-vine like breadth in the midpalate.
Family Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir retrospective
In preparation for this release, we thought it might be a good time to open a vertical of Family Farm Pinot Noir starting with the first vintage that included some of the new grafts. This vertical showed the character of a couple of extreme vintages as well as a steady increase in quality culminating in the 2013 and unreleased 2014 vintages.
Tasting notes:
2010- While the fruit is maturing this wine still has some youthful structural elements that need time to resolve. The whipsaw of cool and hot weather in 2010 lead to a challenging harvest, but we were able to get Family Farm when it was ready. This shows firm red fruit and more structure than the 2011, and will reward further cellaring.
2011- This example of California’s coolest recent vintage was ready to go. It is an earlier drinking lighter styled example of Family Farm’s black cherry and loam theme.
2012- This vintage showed a big step up in quality. The regrafted sections are fully contributing at this point and the wine shows more depth, intensity and balance than we’ve seen in past vintages.
2013- This is the best vintage of Family Farm to date. It drinks extremely well now and will age beautifully. The mid palate breadth is terrific and offers loads of delicious black cherry and earthy complexity.
Rhys Vineyards Family Farm pinot noir photographed in November 2006.
Family Farm Vineyard
Fruit set at Family Farm in the regrafted suitcase selections.
2016 fruit set at Family Farm Vineyard in the regrafted suitcase selections.
Along with Alpine vineyard, the development of Family Farm vineyard started in the year 2000. As we began to understand the site better, we realized that we could increase quality with a selection of smaller-berried, heritage and suitcase Pinot Noir cuttings. Regrafting these grapevines was not an easy choice since it meant that the vines would not be fully productive for 2 or more years. Nevertheless, between the years 2007 and 2010 we regrafted over half of the 6 acre vineyard. Fortunately, after this short-term pain was over it became clear that these choices lead to a definite increase in quality. Today Family Farm is mature with stout vines and the wine is showing increasing depth with an almost old-vine like breadth in the midpalate.
Family Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir retrospective
In preparation for this release, we thought it might be a good time to open a vertical of Family Farm Pinot Noir starting with the first vintage that included some of the new grafts. This vertical showed the character of a couple of extreme vintages as well as a steady increase in quality culminating in the 2013 and unreleased 2014 vintages.
Tasting notes:
2010- While the fruit is maturing this wine still has some youthful structural elements that need time to resolve. The whipsaw of cool and hot weather in 2010 lead to a challenging harvest, but we were able to get Family Farm when it was ready. This shows firm red fruit and more structure than the 2011, and will reward further cellaring.
2011- This example of California’s coolest recent vintage was ready to go. It is an earlier drinking lighter styled example of Family Farm’s black cherry and loam theme.
2012- This vintage showed a big step up in quality. The regrafted sections are fully contributing at this point and the wine shows more depth, intensity and balance than we’ve seen in past vintages.
2013- This is the best vintage of Family Farm to date. It drinks extremely well now and will age beautifully. The mid palate breadth is terrific and offers loads of delicious black cherry and earthy complexity.