Cabernet Sauvignon, Plum Ridge Vineyard | Fountain Grove AVA, Sonoma

The foundation of our Cabernet selection is the Plum Ridge Vineyard.  These grapes are regarded as above average for Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon.  Since 2012 they have expressed themselves with deep color and classic Cabernet Sauvignon character. Wine made from our frozen grapes, 5 years after harvest, gets rave reviews. If you wish to make a serious Cab, good enough to serve to the boss, Plum Ridge is for you. This high-ridge vineyard, above the fog, does not disappoint.

To order grapes, click “choose an option” and select a product size (pail, drum, etc.)  Next, enter a quantity and click the “Add to Cart” button.  See the description section below for product information.

 

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Cabernet Sauvignon, Plum Ridge - All Locations

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2020 Harvest - Cabernet, Plumb Ridge

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Description

Frozen Black Grapes  Are sold as destemmed grapes. Yields are estimates and vary depending on the vintage, varietal and the winemaker’s pressing and racking style. All grapes listed under current inventory are frozen.

  • Pails contain 5 gallons of grapes, yielding approximately 2.5 – 3.5 gallons of finished wine.
  • Drums contain 425 pounds of grapes, yielding approximately 30 gallons of finished wine.
  • Delivery:
    • Pails can be shipped via FedEx, LTL or picked up at the freezer. We cannot FedEx drums.
    • FedEx Shipping – Orders from CA and OR ship at the same rate. If shipping to the Midwest or East Coast, select pails from PA for the best rate.

2019 Harvest Pre-order will launch in July. Pre-order is required on all fresh grape sales and recommended for frozen grapes to guarantee availability. For orders of a ton or more, please contact us now.

Fresh Black Grapes are sold by the pound as whole bunches with stems at harvest, (Typically September through October). Fresh Grapes cannot be shipped.

  • The minimum order for fresh grapes is 100 pounds. Special pricing is available for bulk orders over 2,000 pounds.
  • Fresh grapes are sold net, without containers and must be picked up at the processing site at harvest.
    • California grapes are processed in Petaluma, CA.
    • Oregon and Washington grapes are processed in Underwood WA, (1 hr. east of Portland, OR).
  • Destemming – Please request when you place your order. The destemming cost is 10 cents per pound. Stem weight is calculated at 6%. For example, 100 pounds of fresh grapes will yield 94 pounds of destemmed grapes.

Winemaking Thoughts

Brehm Vineyards’ current inventory of Plum Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon gives a peak into the future as well as helping define the past. Since 2012 the vineyard has averaged 25.23° brix, with a 3.46 pH at harvest (pH increases with skin contact during fermentation). We recommend adjusting sugar / brix level below 25° brix – 24.5° brix.  Yeast available nitrogen is typically on the low side, recommend quality yeast nutrient at start of fermentation, another small amount (DAP ok.) before reaching 14° brix. Expect good color extraction early on, gradually guide the fermentation to peak at 85°F. The use of quality oak cubes or sticks during fermentation may help bind color in the wine. Yeast commonly employed: Uvaferm BDXTM is a vigorous fermenter. Alcohol tolerance can be up to 16% (v/v); Lalvin ICV D254® develops ripe fruit, jam and cedar aromas together with mild spiciness – known to have an alcohol tolerance of up to 16% (v/v) when the fermentation is aerated and the temperature is maintained below 28°C (82°F). Wine made for consumption in 2 to 17 years and may be pressed from 4° brix to 0° brix,. A long maceration not recommended. Light oak aging is beneficial, however too much is detrimental. Malolactic culture may be added at yeast fermentation while the wine is still warm, or once dry. Blends are part of this varietals heritage.  Merlot is a bit softer, fuller in the mouth and around 20% can enhance the Cab.  This works in reverse also. The Aussies enrich their warmer Cabs with Shiraz, not required here. Cabernet Franc combines with Cabernet Sauvignon in a manner that complicates and enriches without any distraction.   Notes on the 2017 Vintage Brix 24.6, 3.63 pH, TA 5.3 g/l, Malic Acid 1.2 g/l, YAN 175

  • Use Lalvin GRE or EnofermCSM yeast. There are variations in the brix of this grape grape. Please check the pH and brix of your must before making adjustments. Freezing causes tartaric acid to form a cream of tarter. Unless you wish to reduce acidity, always include the cream of tarter. After 36 – 48 hours of fermentation and agitation, the must may be tested for acid and pH. Boil the wine/must, cool and then test in order to get an accurate reading without dissolved So2.
  • Add 16 gr. Tartaric acid. Follow safe protocol: fast ferment, 4.5 days on skins, ferment 75° f., Complete malolactic fermentation.

Vineyard

1986 was the beginning of Plum Ridge Vineyard. It was conceived and planned to produce Bordeaux varietals of exceptional quality. The land is almost all hillside and ranges in elevation from 1300 to 1800 feet. The vineyard is on a crest overlooking the Valley of the Moon and the diminishing northerly slope of Sonoma Mountain East of the town of Santa Rosa.

 Almost 80 acres of hillsides and hilltops comprise the setting for six distinct vineyard plots of eight varietals. This is a stunning vineyard with the potential for exceptional wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is the core grape occupying three distinct plots.
Brehm Vineyards began exploring this vineyard in 2011 during a very cool, wet season. We were impressed with the quality of fruit and the resulting wine. The high elevation offers coolness during the day, and warm nights. Air movement allows good conditions within the canopy. 2011 grapes had good sugar, were clean with balanced acids, right on varietal character while many of the valley grapes suffered.
These are cool climate grapes, they come in late, and that is what Peter likes. Without implying any inferiority of any vineyard aspect, we are enjoying the benefits of ridge top, hillside aspects. While the valleys get warmer in the day and cooler in the evening than the hilltops do. The hilltops stay cooler in the heat of the day and warmer at night. Late maturing varietals can benefit with the warmer evening temperatures, in the fall especially.

Try The Wine

Plum Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon is available for purchase from Campaña Ranch Winery. Campaña Ranch sources these grapes with Brehm Vineyards. Click here to order through Campaña Ranch.