News from the Nose

Lately, I'm excited about a new source of bottles that I have been introducing for our wines. They are called Eco-bottles and they are produced right here in Washington State. The glass is produced using recycled cullet (the manufacturer is targeting 60+%) in a plant in South Seattle. The recycled glass uses less energy to produce and the bottle is lighter in weight making them less expensive to ship - good for me and for you!

It’s the time of year when Bob and his crew have been out pruning in the vineyards.  As some of you know, several years ago Bob pulled out three acres of grapes and asked what I would like him to plant in its place.  Talk about a kid in a candy shop! We ended up with small amounts of Petit Verdot, Carmenere, Montepulciano and Petite Sirah.  In 2009, a first crop produced a very small crop of the Petite Sirah and the Montepulciano (6 cases each). Those grapes produced some outstanding wines, so I’ve been looking forward to how they progress as the vines take on some age.  we pulled a little bit more in 2010, but the season was not real friendly to many of the young vines. Last year (2011) we were able to harvest enough for a small production of most of these grapes, and a pretty sizeable yield of the Petite Sirah.  Based on what he is seeing in the vineyard as he prunes, Bob is anticipating that we should have enough from each of these varieties to make a dedicated bottling from each of these varieties, in numbers that will make them available !

In addition to the varieties I listed above, Bob planted some Dolcetto, which I received last year.  I honestly did not think that the variety would do well in this climate.  It tends to be an early-ripening grape and I thought (still do) that it might get over-ripe. Last year, however, was a tough year for many reds to ripen fully, so the Dolcetto came in on the mark. I think the 2011 version will be quite nice.  It will be interesting to see how it performs in a “normal” year – whatever that is these days!

There is usually little competition for our attention this time of year, so if you’re in the neighborhood, give a call! Larry’s always happy to bend your ear with what might be going on (and take a break), and Aurora is always glad for any and all company.  Call 509-460-2886 and make sure we’re here – there is still that pesky day job….. We are off the beaten path, so if you find yourself gone astray, we’ll get you here!  If we are with customers, we will call you back as soon as we can.

Aurora

Favorite canine Aurora  was recently featured on the KNDU-TV evening news.

Watch the video of Sleeping Dog Wines in action by Dan McCool of  I Drink Your Wine.