Carboniste "Pinot Noir Rosé" Sparkling Rosé, San Benito County, California 2023

FROM CARBONISTE:

THE WINE: A blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, the grapes were pressed whole cluster and settled for 1-2 days as juice. Clear juice helps to retain the purity and focus of this wine. The Chardonnay and Pinot noir was fermented separately in barrel with native yeast at 60-70°F. The fermentation sediment was kept with the wine until bottling without the addition of sulfur dioxide. The wine was bottled with fresh yeast and a small amount of sugar. After 3 to 4 months in bottle, the yeast had consumed the sugar, the sediment was removed, and we added back a small amount of wine and sugar. After a light dosage, the bottles were capped again in order to preserve the natural youth and freshness of the wine.

THE PRODUCER: After meeting at UC Davis, Dan and Jacqueline Person worked around the world, then around California. These experiences informed their perspectives on winemaking. Dan worked for Schramsberg Vineyards for 3 years, making traditional sparkling wines from California grapes. Based on that experience, Dan decided there was a need for a new interpretation of California sparkling wine. Jacqueline was concurrently making still wines from a variety of terroirs across the Golden State, terroirs that have inspired the vineyard selections for CARBONISTE.