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Birdhorse 2022 Verdelho, Contra Costa County, CA
Winemakers: Corrine Rich, Katie Rouse
Farming: Organic Certified
Varieties: Verdelho
Terroir: Knightsen in Contra Costa County, just 2 miles from the San Joaquin Delta. Warm days help bring out the golden, aromatic tones of this variety but cool winds from the Delta help diminish nighttime temperatures and preserve its brilliant acidity. Planted in 2002, the Evina Vineyard sits on Sorrento silty clay loam soils, farmed organically by grower Tom Morgan.
Vinification: Grapes were hauled to the winery and put direct-to-press, and pumped into stainless steel. This juice was then pumped over once a day for 6 days until fermentation began, at which time it was transferred to a mixture of puncheons, neutral barrels and stainless drums. Fermentation continued on for approximately three weeks and, once dry, wines were sulfured to arrest malolactic fermentation. The wine remained on its lees to age for 5 months, until it was racked and blended for bottling.
Tasting Notes: Aromas of bright citrus like pomelo and makrut lime compliment a backbone of wet stones and chalk dust, with a touch of green pineapple. It's bright, natural acidity lifts up a juicy and unctuous palate, with a touch of honeyed tropical fruit that gives it a unique glow.
Birdhorse founders Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse met at UC Davis while pursuing a M.S. in Viticulture & Enology. They fell deeper in love with wine, and found a life partnership in one another, too.
Birdhorse became a concrete idea while they were working a harvest season abroad in South Africa. For Rich and Rouse, Birdhorse represents the hope that “new perspectives can succeed” in California winemaking. They want to both champion representation of obscure and delicious grape varieties, as well as being an example of diversity in the wine world so that young people who are queer, of color, or other diverse identities know that there is a seat for them at the table.
Verdelho is a grape native to the Portuguese island of Madeira, and is one of the four main types of Madeira wine made there. Birdhorse sources these Verdelho grapes from Contra Costa County, where the sunny climate and sandy soil brings forth a golden profile: flavors of pineapple, passion fruit, and roasted pears, plus texture, texture, texture.
This is a wine to share with friends- Rich and Rouse call this their “favorite taco wine”, so pop it open, give it a swirl, and don’t forget the cilantro.