Clay Shannon - Owner Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery Celestino Castaneda Sauvignon Blanc Winegrapes

Things are really starting to get busy in the vineyards. Harvest is going to be at least two weeks earlier than normal this year. We picked our first block of Sauvignon Blanc grapes from our Morine Ranch early last Thursday, August 16, 2007, and the fruit is really starting to show our experience of growing on these steep hillside vineyards for almost 10 years now. We're leaving more of the leaf canopy than we used to, and I'm liking what I see; fruit isn't burned from the sun, and we can let these grapes hang until the centers of the clusters are completely ripe. I'm tasting more fruit-forward flavors from these grapes than I have in the past. The Zin crop is really pretty small, and the other Reds are all showing smaller than usual berry size. I think it's from the lower amount of rain last winter. Based on our weather stations, some of the spots on the ranch only received 15 inches of rain compared to our normal of 30 to 40 inches a year. Smaller isn't bad. I'm very happy with the color, sugar levels, and consistencies in the individual clusters. These grapes should produce some really nice wines.

Just arrived Shannon Ridge 2006 Chardonnay... our first Chardonnay, it's from 100% Lake County fruit and you've got to try it.

What the winemaker said: "A delightful white with beautiful, intense ripe fruit flavors, with pear, green apple, and a touch of citrus." Oak aging provides a complex layering of toast and vanilla, while the crisp acidity balances a soft, lingering finish. Composed of 100% of the varietals harvested from only Lake County vineyards. Fermented 75% in oak and 25% in stainless. Retail $24.00 bottle.

Visit our Online Store to purchase this wine and others.

It is a great time of the year to be on the Ranch. Don't forget about our Vineyard Wine Tasting Tours. $25.00 per person for tasting and 1-1/2 hour tour; or $45.00 for tasting, 1-1/2 hour tour and lunch, all in our vineyards overlooking north America's oldest lake. Tours are by appointment only. For more information contact us at: 707-998-9656 or info@shannonridge.com. Or find out more on our Tasting Room page.

Check our new website, just rebuilt with lots of new information. Don't forget to join the Wrangler Wine Club and receive 25% discount on all Shannon Ridge wines and logo merchandise. All at: www.shannonridge.com.

Tasting Room Specials 2005 Petite Sirah, $27.00 per bottle, or 2006 Grenache, $28.00 per bottle, only available in out Tasting Room or Online Store.

Visit our website to view our awards.

Shannon Ranch's vineyard manager Celestino Castaneda works right in the bin on the first load of Sauvignon Blanc winegrapes being picked, insuring the quality of the fruit is what he wants. "I'm looking for consistence in the fruit. We wanted to bring them in at 24 Brix and this block is picking at about 4 tons per acre, with very nice color and size this year."