Fort Ross-Seaview Home Field 2016 RAEN Winery

Tasting Note Fort Ross-Seaview Home Field 2016

The tart red fruit is layered with the stem's distinctive spice and dried herb notes, a whole-cluster signature that is immediately apparent in the Fort Ross-Seaview Home Field 2016. The acidity imparts the bright, lively character typical of coastal regions. The tannins are delicate rather than harsh, and the moderate alcohol content prevents the wine from feeling heavy. This vintage possesses a sense of weight without being bulky. It is already well-opened and ready to drink, yet it has the structure to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Cellaring Potential

This is the ideal time to drink it. The acidity and delicate tannins derived from the stems provide balance to the Fort Ross-Seaview Home Field 2016. Allowing it to breathe in a decanter for about an hour will help the aromas unfold more fully. Serve at 16°C.

About RAEN Winery

RAEN refers to Research in the context of Agriculture and Enology Naturally, and brothers Carlo and Dante Mondavi mean the order literally: farming first, winemaking second.

After spending about 10 years surveying the remote coastal areas of Sonoma, they established RAEN Winery in 2013 on the cold western edge of the Sonoma Coast. Here, the fog blowing in from the Pacific delays fruit ripening and maintains high acidity. Pinot Noir forms the core of the vineyards, with some Chardonnay included as well.

The vineyards are small and divided into separate plots. This includes Bodega Vineyard, a 0.7-hectare plot located above Bodega Bay, where vines are planted 1 meter apart and managed entirely by hand, plus Home Field, Sea Field and Charles Ranch up in Fort Ross-Seaview. In the winery, whole grape clusters are used, natural yeasts are employed, and the wine is aged in neutral French oak barrels for 10 to 18 months, depending on the vintage. The alcohol content is typically around 13%.

Terroir & Climate

Fort Ross-Seaview is a high-altitude coastal appellation in western Sonoma County, where the ocean does most of the work. Because the fog blowing in from the Pacific Ocean slows down ripening, this fruit keeps its acidity long after warmer parts of California have finished picking. The steep, rugged slopes ensure rapid drainage and curb the vines' vigor. Thanks to this combination, wines from this region typically have a moderate alcohol content of around 13% and exhibit a salty, mineral character.

Winemaking

Carlo and Dante Mondavi prioritize the vineyard over the winery, and Home Field exemplifies this philosophy. After pressing, the wine is transferred to neutral French oak barrels. These barrels have already imparted flavor to previous vintages, and the wine then sits for 10 to 18 months, depending on the conditions of that year's harvest. Bottling takes place not according to the calendar, but when the wine is ready. Some RAEN bottlings go unfined. Melanie McIntyre works alongside the brothers throughout the entire process.

Food Pairing: Fort Ross-Seaview Home Field by RAEN Winery

Pink-fleshed duck breast is the perfect pairing for this wine. The fat, acidity, delicate tannins, and protein create a harmonious balance. Here are some other pairings worth trying with RAEN Fort Ross-Seaview Home Field:

• Grilled wild salmon: The distinctive umami of the coast blends beautifully with the fish's flavor
• Mushroom risotto: Its rich earthy notes pair well with the spicy flavors of the grape stems
• Roast chicken with thyme: Simple and medium-bodied
• Washed-rind cheese: When you're looking for contrasting flavors