Grenache
  1. McDowell Valley Grenache Gris- Mendocino County CA (More Info)
  2. McDowell Valley Grenache Noir- Mendocino County CA (More Info)
Grenache is one of the corner stones of Rhone wines. While the Grenache Gris varietal will play a principal grape in certain Rhone blends, it is most often in a supporting role blend with other Rhone varietals for its wonderful aromatics and fruity additions. For your blends with Carignane and Syrah, I suggest the liberal use of Grenache. Grenache Noir is darker varietal in the Grenache family. With a more fruity flavor and deeper color, the Grenache Noir can be a fruit bomb as a 100% varietal wine.
Availability

McDowell Valley Grenache and Grenache Noir will be available as fresh whole berries or crushed must at harvest or as frozen 5 gallon pails after harvest.

Photo: Peter Brehm shows off McDowell Valley Grenache vines that were planted around 1906. (Click to enlarge.)
Grenache Vineyard Information

2007 McDowell Valley Grenache

McDowell Valley Vineyard, Mendocino County CA

Brix: 24.3

pH: 3.44

TA: 0.57 g/100ml

Grape Code: 07MVG / Freezer Code: 511

Harvested 9/30/07 in clean condition. Add 6 grams tartaric acid per 5 gal must or 50 lb. grapes. Ferment warm with D254, L2056 or Fermirouge yeast. After start of fermentation add quality yeast food. Do Malolactic fermentation. Not a dark wine. Grenache adds depth, nose and complexity to many Rhone & California Blends. An incrediable rose’if pressed early. Press & ferment for a light red wine or use with Syrah for complexity and added lushness. Add SO2 based on pH after malolactic. Expect about 70 ppm SO2. Oak not needed. Taste for acid addition after ML fermentation.

Availability: Sold Out

2007 McDowell Valley Grenache Noir

McDowell Valley Vineyard, Mendocino County CA

Brix: 24.9

pH: 3.64

0.47: TBA g/100ml

Grape Code: 07MVGN / Freezer Code: 537

Availability: Frozen 5 gallon Pails

As of January 24, 2008:

130 pails available in Richmond CA

2006 McDowell Valley Grenache

McDowell Valley Vineyard, Mendocino County CA

Brix: 22.6

pH: 3.26

TA: 0.63 g/100ml

Grape Code: 06MVG / Freezer Code: 308

Harvested 10/11/06 in perfect condition. Stir very well and take sugar reading. A perfect light red or rosé, or blender with high sugar grapes. For red ferment warm with D254, L2056 or Fermirouge yeast, rosé ferment juice cool. After start of fermentation add quality yeast food. Do Malolactic fermentation. Not a dark wine. Adds depth, nose and complexity to many Rhone & California Blends. Press after 4 days ferment for a light red wine. Syrah, Zinfandel, or Malbec will add depth and color. With Carignane acid and earthiness increases, Mourvedre complicates the complicator. Add 55 ppm SO2 after malolactic . Oak not needed. Taste for acid addition after ML fermentation.

Availability:

As of Jan 24th 2008

30 pails available in Hatfield PA

McDowell Valley Grenache

  • Region: Mendocino County CA
  • Age: Planted around 1905.
  • Irrigation: Dry farmed with drip available when necessary, deep gravely loam
  • Trellis: Head, spur pruned
  • Mid-late harvest.
  • Same as past years, light color, rich flavor & aromatics, not Grenache Noir
  • 2-3 tons / acre
  • A rare premium vineyard & grapes. Great to blend in Rhone wines or rosé
  • Also produced by Caymus; Copain; Marietta; Saracina; Fetzer; McDowell Estates