Our longest tenured single vineyard wine, the single vineyard Fiddlestix was first made in 2008 (though we bought grapes back in 2006 here as well). This venerable vineyard was planted by pioneering winemaker Kathy Joseph in 1998. Since then, it has gone on to become a stalwart member of the Sta Rita Hills appellation. Across the road from Sanford & Benedict and La Rinconada and just below Sea Smoke and Rita’s Crown, Fiddlestix forms an integral part of what we like to call the tenderloin of the SRH. Others refer to this as the “goldilocks zone”, just close enough to the ocean to be cooled by wind and fog, but far enough away to obtain optimal ripeness. Recently Kathy sold the vineyard to a fantastic ownership group, and we have been able to retain (and in some cases expand) our holdings in various blocks. The future looks bright here.
A product of a cool, wonderful vintage the 2021 Fiddlestix grapes were picked across a long 9 day period under ideal circumstances. The grapes were then fermented with 23% whole clusters and the wine aged on its lees for 19 months in French oak barrels (27% new). Bottling was unfiltered.
We are thrilled with this wine, as think it has some of the best balance of fruit, acid and tannins of any Fiddlestix we have ever made. The wine has complexity from the whole clusters and the kiss of new oak, but remains medium bodied and texturally very smooth. This will drink well young but offer a substantial upside if aged. Drink 2024-2034.