Florèz Wines "Cave Dew" California 2024

FROM JENNY & FRANCOIS:

THE WINE: 100% Pinot Noir. A 2023 spring visit to France reminded James of the significance and popularity of partial carbonic fermentations among natural makers there. That style of low extraction, whole cluster, sealed maceration appealed greatly to his desire to make “soft and delicious wines.” With this as an inspiration point, 80% of this wine was fermented as such in stainless steel. After being pressed the wine was aged on fine lees in tank for 6 months. 20% was fermented more traditionally 50% whole cluster 50% destemmed in open top fermenter, just to explore what would work well with the fruit. This was aged in barrel sur lie for approximately 6 months. The two components were reunited at racking and 18 ppm sulfur was added in preparation for bottling.

THE PRODUCER: Florèz Wines was founded by James Jelks in 2017. Born in Santa Cruz and raised in Davis California Jelks is a west coast kid. After a decade of wine fascination, attending the UC Davis E&V program, and working worldwide Jelks set his sights on producing wines in Santa Cruz county. He is farming some vineyards himself, always dry-farmed, and is also sourcing some fruit from organic and sustainable vineyards. He always works with native yeasts, does not use additives except for a minimal amount of sulfur at bottling, and does not filter the wines.