2020
Ridge Lift
Red Wine
$28
Tempranillo: 19%
Zinfandel: 17%
Petite Sirah: 16%
Cabernet Sauvignon: 14%
Syrah: 12%
Other: 22%
Aging treatment: 100% American Oak
Bottled: 5/2022
Winemaker Dane Stark has a passion for free flight. He has been a paraglider pilot for three decades and now finds the invisible currents of air using a sailplane. Without a motor, free flight places the pilot in the zone, using only the naturally occurring currents to stay aloft.
From this place of unconventional zone, Stark has brought together top performing varietals into a blend that rises to olfactory heights. Engaging style, with approachable flair.
This wine is ruby red with delightful depth. It opens with classic spice and fruit and finishes with the smoothest of landings.
Wing tip to wing tip it is balanced and delicious. A true gem of what California blends have to offer.
2021
Tempranillo
Livermore Valley
$34
TA: 5.8 g/l
pH: 3.9
Brix at harvest: 24.5
Harvest date: 10/14/2021
Aging treatment: 100% American oak medium grain (neutral)
Winemaker’s Notes:
“Tempranillo is a workhorse of varietals, typically being blended into Riojas.
As a stand alone varietal it is more demure than our California standard bearers, Cab and Merlot. It’s a wine that is not the loudest at the party, but still waters run deep. Because it can be masked by oak influence, the new oak was sparingly used, accounting for less than 10% of the blend.
It is a Spanish varietal that performs exceptionally well in our Livermore Valley.
My first choice to pair with this wine is hard cheese and crudites!”
Dane Stark, winemaker
Tasting Notes:
The color of this wine is a medium red ruby color, not overly dense.
It opens with earthy fruit, a touch of plum and strawberry, tobacco and medium intensity with pleasing berry and pepper notes.
The structure lends itself to aging and the lean fruit of the mid palate is pleasing in a delicate way. The excellent structure provides for a wonderful food wine and this wine will pair beautifully with richer dishes. The finish mingles spice, leather, herbs and earth.
Impeccable balance and medium tannin structure finish in a lengthy wash of cacao, hints of coffee and earth.
TA: 7.9 g/l
pH: 3.2
Brix at harvest: 24
Harvest date: 10/15/2020
Aging treatment: 100% American oak medium grain
Winemaker’s Notes:
“Barbera is such a delicious wine, we are lucky to have this varietal in our portfolio.
As a stand alone varietal it is one of the most acidic that I work with, the pH is extremely low, making for a wonderful food wine.
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My first selection to pair with this wine is cheese, before all else.”
Dane Stark, winemaker
Tasting Notes:
The color of this wine is a deeper and more vibrant red due to medium to high acidity.
It opens with earthy fruit, a touch of floral and medium intensity with a pleasing berry and soft tannin presentation.
The structure lends itself to aging and the fruit of the mid palate leads to a lengthy finish. The excellent structure provides for a wonderful food wine and this wine will pair beautifully with richer dishes. The finish mingles floral components and nuts with spice, herbs and roses.