Winemaking
Wine making is a beautiful art form that combines science, nature, and human creativity to produce a unique and complex beverage. Each vintage is unique and reflects the character of the grapes, vineyard conditions, and the winemaker’s skill. From grape selection to bottling, every step is crafted to produce not just a delicious wine, but also a work of art.
Alison Doran
For more than 50 years, Alison has been walking the vineyards that produce the finest varietals in the region. Spending a majority of her time on vineyard management, she keeps an eye on every aspect of vine growth—limiting their vigor so that they produce the most concentrated and intensely flavored grapes. She developed her skill from mentoring by renowned wine expert Andre Tchelistcheff, completing a degree in Fermentation Science from UC Davis and spending time in the legendary winery-filled region of Alsace, France. Since then Alison has honed her craft into a distinctive style all her own—harvesting at optimum ripeness, and making sure she gets the “pop & jump” out of every grape.
Winemaking
Harvesting
Harvesting is one of the most important stages of winemaking, as it sets the foundation for the quality of the wine. It involves picking the grapes at the right time of ripeness, sorting them, and removing any unwanted materials.
Crushing and Pressing
Crushing and pressing are essential steps in winemaking that involve separating the juice from the skins, seeds, and stems of the grapes. The juice is extracted by either crushing the grapes by hand or using mechanical presses. The method used can affect the quality and character of the wine, as different techniques can result in different levels of tannins, flavors and aromas.
Fermentation
Fermentation is a crucial stage in winemaking, where the grape juice is transformed into wine through the action of yeast. Yeast consumes the sugars in the juice and produces alcohol, carbon dioxide, and heat. This process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the type of wine being made and the desired characteristics.
Aging
Aging is an important step in the wine making process that involves storing the wine in barrels or tanks for a period of time to develop its flavor and aroma. During this stage, the wine undergoes chemical and physical changes as it interacts with oxygen and other compounds in the barrel or tank. The length and type of aging can vary depending on the desired style of wine and the winemaker’s preference.
Bottling
Bottling is the final stage in wine making that involves transferring the wine from barrels or tanks to bottles, and sealing them with corks or other closures. This is a delicate process that requires special equipment to ensure that the wine is not exposed to oxygen, which can negatively affect its flavor and aroma. Once bottled, the wine can continue to age and develop for many years, making it ready for consumption whenever the time is right.
