Cellar Report from Winemaker Joe Freeman
- By admin
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- 27 May, 2010
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It’s a time of awakening and selection in the winery cellar. Cold, dark days, although doing their best to hang around this year, have begun to give way to warmth and sunshine.  It seems that the wines in the cellar can sense the onset of Spring, and have woken up from their Winter sleep. I […]
We will continue to monitor the wines’ maturation, a process termed “elevage” by the French. The expectation is that the wine will become more refined and integrated during its time in barrels. Most Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs will spend between ten and sixteen months in barrels before bottling.
There is always a risk of spoilage, but with careful monitoring, any potential problems can be addressed. Monthly analysis for acetic acid (vinegar) will provide early evidence of the conversion of alcohol by Acetobacter bacteria, while careful topping of the barrels, and use of sulfur dioxide, will protect the wine.
The Siebert Ranch Pinot Noir from 2009 is showing great promise.  Deep purple color for a Pinot, with all the expected depth of flavor and richness that suggests.  Still showing forward tannins, the additional time in barrel will allow great integration with the powerful fruit. We should all look forward to tasting the finished version of this wine!
Joe Freeman
Winemaker, Ancient Oak Cellars
Winemaker, Ancient Oak Cellars
Ancient Oak Cellars, and Jon McDaniel with Second City Soil, gathered 60+ of the top sommeliers from around the country to taste four wines that Ancient Oak had sent to each -- and to enter into a discussion of the wines, farming and winemaking philosophies, and a wide-range of other related topics. We had a blast!
Re-live your experience, or take it in for the first time. Then be in touch to continue the discussions. Cheers!
A video introduction to the neighborhoods of the Russian River Valley.
watch a video of winemaker Greg La Follete talking about the importance of family-farmed wines and native yeast fermentation.
An occasional series in which we learn about wine professionals -- Somms, Wine Directors, Winemakers -- and whether they are really of another species, or whether we should view them as friends who know more about wine than we do, and can help us choose and learn more about wine!
We visited Novavine nursery, in Sonoma Valley, recently to see the progress of our newly-grafted grapevines, and to learn more about the process.
As you may know, Siebert Ranch -- the house, barns, and vineyards where owners Melissa and Ken Moholt-Siebert live -- was destroyed in the 2017 wildfires. We are on the long path to recovery and rebuilding. You can support us by buying our wine!
Melissa will be pouring Ancient Oak Cellars' wines at the Pomona College Alumni Vintner Tasting
A look at how oaks reproduce -- and a list of other interesting facts about oaks.
Our family's special Easter decoration, found inside the ruins of our barn following the 2017 wildfires, serves as a symbol of hope.
We continue to follow the long road to recovery following the Tubbs Fire, which destroyed the Siebert Ranch PInot Noir vineyard. In this installment, we explore the process of grafting the new vines that will make up the new vineyard.
