Winemaker Joe Freeman – early thoughts on Pinots

admin • October 7, 2010

Ancient Oak Cellars now has two Pinot Noirs in tank!  It seemed like a long wait for these grapes to ripen, but the rewards of patience are the ripe flavors and mature tannins we are seeing in the fermenters.  As if on cue, Fall weather arrived today, with dark clouds, cold temperatures, and light sprinkles.  […]

Just under 7 tons of Siebert Ranch Pinot Noir were hand picked on Saturday, October 2, weeks later than this block usually ripens.  After removing the grapes from the stems, the “must” was transferred to the open top fermenters for a cold soak period, where we attempt to extract as much color and flavor as possible, prior to the start of fermentation.  These grapes will have a few more days of cold soak before we inoculate with yeast and begin the conversion from juice to wine.  It looks like the 2010 Siebert Ranch Pinot Noir will be a wonderfully intense wine with very ripe flavors of black cherry and blueberry.

I’ll keep you posted on the progress of our young wines!

-Joe Freeman

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