Vineyard Notes: Stillwater Ranch is farmed by Tom Merwin, currently the president of the Clarksburg Wine Growers Association. The Merwin family has been farming in Clarksburg since 1918 & planted their first grapes in 1996. Stillwater Ranch was one of the first properties planted. It is located on the western side of Elk Slough, south of the town of Clarksburg. It is sustainably farmed.
Cellar Notes: We received 2 tons of hand-picked fruit, ¼-ton of which was destemmed into a bin for cofermentation with Teroldego. The remainder was destemmed & pressed to tank for cold-settling. 3 days later, it was racked to a stainless steel tank for fermentation. The wine finished fermenting 10/20 & was racked to 3 barrels on 10/26 to soften some of the rough edges. It was returned to tank 12/3 & cold stabilized, then bottled unfiltered on 12/20.
Tasting Notes: A new variety for us, this Fiano has bright green melon aromas, mixed with honeysuckle, vanilla & a unique nuttiness. The palate is smooth & mellow, with green pear, honeydew, hazelnut & chamomile.