Fall is here!
This time of year, is one of my favorites in Sonoma County. The hustle and bustle of harvest is behind us, and we are heading into the Holiday season. I look forward to spending time with family and friends, eating delicious local food and drinking amazing Sonoma County wines! I’ve lived here for thirty-seven years, and I’m still amazed by the natural beauty of our landscape during fall. The vineyard leaves are turning yellow and red which creates a stunning sea of color against forested backgrounds. The fog and clouds further accentuate the seemingly endless opportunities to enjoy one of the most beautiful places on earth.
A stunning view of our Estate Vineyard as the leaves turn color
This time of year, in our vineyard we apply organic compost and plant cover crops to enrich the soil and prepare the vines for next year’s growing season. Organic compost, rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms, is spread across the vineyard, providing essential nutrients that improve soil fertility, structure, and water retention. We also plant a mixed cover crop between the vine rows which includes clover, legumes, or grasses. These crops help prevent soil erosion during the winter rains, fix nitrogen in the soil, and create a habitat for beneficial insects. As the cover crops decompose, they further enrich the soil with organic matter, fostering a healthier vineyard ecosystem for the spring.
Nouveau Season
Nouveau is a French word that translates to “new” in English. In the context of wine, “nouveau” typically refers to Beaujolais Nouveau, a French red wine that is made in the Beaujolais region. It’s known for being a “new” wine because it is released very shortly after the harvest, often just weeks after fermentation. This results in a fresh, light-bodied wine with fruity flavors, intended to be enjoyed young rather than aged. Each year, Beaujolais Nouveau is released on the third Thursday of November, a tradition celebrated with events worldwide as the “Beaujolais Nouveau Day.” Nouveau wine is notable for its vibrant, approachable taste and is often seen as a celebration of the harvest season.
I’m very excited to announce that we have made our own Nouveau wine to celebrate the harvest this year! It was a great experience making this Nouveau wine. The process begins with the hand-harvesting of the grapes to preserve the whole grape clusters. This step is critical because whole clusters are essential for carbonic maceration.
Whole Clusters Russian River Valley grapes for our Nouveau!
Carbonic Maceration: This is the most distinctive step in Nouveau production. Whole grape clusters are placed in sealed tanks filled with carbon dioxide, which triggers an anaerobic (oxygen-free) fermentation process inside each grape. Enzymatic reactions within the grapes produce alcohol, emphasizing fruity, fresh flavors, and reducing tannins significantly. This method creates the signature light, fruity profile of Nouveau, with flavors of red berries and sometimes tropical notes.
Here is the Nouveau, our the first released wine from the 2024 Vintage!
We then press and finish the fermentation using wild yeast from the vineyard. Once complete the wine is then quickly filtered, bottled, and prepared for release capturing its young, fresh character. This process results in a young, vibrant wine with flavors of red berries, banana, and bubblegum, meant to be enjoyed immediately rather than aged. We can’t wait for you to try it!
On behalf of the entire team here at River Road Family Vineyards and Winery, we wish you all continued good health!
Be Well,
