2022 Viognier
100% Viognier, La Presa Vineyard
Santa Ynez Valley AVA
Picked September 12th 2023 at La Presa Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley, the grapes were immediately whole cluster pressed into stainless steel, then clean racked after 24 hours of settling to stainless steel. After 9 days of cool fermentation with a premiere Rhone white yeast the wine went completely dry and was racked to neutral French oak barrels where it aged in the cellar for 6 months. The wine was then racked to tank, settled and racked again before being filtered through a cross flow filter. The finished wine was then bottled on 5/16/23 to 98 12/750mL cases.
High-toned aromas of apricot, nectarine and white peach, Asian pear and peach blossoms are accented by lemon grass, jasmine, candied fruits, subtle butterscotch and a touch of white pepper. The viscous mouthfeel is balanced out nicely by medium acidity. Perfect match with medium spiced green curries with coconut milk, or spicy Thai soups.
ABOUT THE LABEL ARTIST:
Artist John Baran was born in Santa Cruz, California and received his MLA (masters of landscape architecture) degree from Cornell University in 2006. It was during his time at Cornell that he rediscovered his joy for painting. As expected, John is inspired by the natural and man-made landscapes that surround us, and most specifically aerial images of these subjects. Natural and environmental disasters, coastlines, and locations where man-made objects contrast with nature all have been subjects of his paintings. Some commissions are based on geographic locations that have sentimental meaning to clients. Often, he mixes soil, sand or grass found on site with the paint. He also likes to use found objects from the site, such as sticks or rocks as painting instruments. In doing this, the site is forever linked to the painting.
As a wildlife painter, I use my own photos as subject matter. In time, my fondness for photography has grown from passion to profession. Camera equipment was upgraded, water housings were purchased and the results are what you see on this website. I have traveled to Africa, French Polynesia, Alaska, Yellowstone, the Caribbean and the Hawaiian Islands in search of inspiration.
These experiences have brought me within feet of tiger sharks, pods of humpbacks and killer whales, sea otters, African elephants, prides of lions and black bears. Even a pack of howling wolves! In addition to my photography, I sell original wildlife fine art paintings at locations in California and Hawaii. CLICK FOR: MORE ABOUT JOHN BARAN