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2022 Estate Pinot Gris
PriceBouchaine’s 100-acre estate vineyard lies on the southern border of Napa Valley’s Carneros district, overlooking the San Francisco bay with the financial district in the distance. Fog, wind, and the cold night time temperatures of this unique geographical area lend a distinctive regional identity to our Pinot Gris.
Growing Season
The growing season of 2022 will ultimately be defined by the 5-day heat wave we experienced in early September. Thankfully, our crop was ready to be harvested. The heat condensed the time frame of harvest and the winery filled up quickly. Prior to the heat, the growing season in Carneros was highlighted only by its cool breezes and morning fog. With all of these factors combined, Bouchaine was able to capture the fresh acidity we know and love, while also extracting velvety structure and depth of flavor in the wines.
Vinification
Grapes are hand-harvested at night before whole clusters are lightly pressed to extract juice. This wine is fermented mostly in stainless tank at low temperature to maintain fresh aromatics but also sees a small amount of neutral oak barrels, stirred monthly, for added depth and complexity.