red varietals of Bordeaux and Rhone. from exclusive single vineyards in Sonoma County’s finest appellations.
THEY SAY IF YOU WANT TO MAKE GREAT WINE, START SMALL, AND START IN THE VINEYARD.
first, Moon Mountain Syrah
Our vineyard farming began at our TRINITY estate, which sits at the top of the Moon Mountain District in Sonoma County. While the AVA did not receive official recognition until 2013, it is home to some of the first and most influential wineries in all of California, including Louis M. Martini’s famed Monte Rosso (“red mountain”) vineyard.
Moon mountain sits at 2000 feet above the valley floor. Glen Ellen is to the west, Oakville (Napa valley) is to the east. Ancient volcanic lava flows brought great mineral content and iron-richness, while the high elevation evens out the extreme temperature swings of the valley floor. Ripening is slow and steady, with long hang time producing concentrated fruit in smaller, thicker-skinned grapes. As the vineyard sits just to the east of the peak, it also avoids the sun scorching that can affect the western facing vineyards.
From 2013 to 2019, we produced the wine under the Chez Villa Casa label. It now joins Mews Wine as the “Moon Mountain Syrah”.
just 870 vines of Syrah produce an unusually mouth filling, lush version of the varietal.due to the unique qualities of the appellation, our syrah is reminiscent of a warm, Lingering blackberry compote.
“Moon Mountain wines lead with more savory notes; black olive, anise, even lavender. Their fruit is dark and brooding, blackberry mixed with coffee and dark cocoa”
-Christine Hanna
Next, chalk hill
“mews”: a group of stables, typically with rooms above, built around a yard or along an alley.
The opportunity to acquire a very special property presented itself in 2017. It had previously been part of Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards. The former owner carved off this nine-acre section for himself before the sale. It had been the fruit orchard, and was the site of what they called the “Carriage House.” We have restored it and more aptly named it the Mews.
CHALK HILL AVA IS ANOTHER remarkable APPELLATION which PRODUCEs finessed RED WINEs. THE “CHALK” was ORIGINALLY THOUGHT to be FROM ANCIENT SEABEDS, but is ACTUALLY QUARTZITE-RICH VOLCANIC ASH that settled over the area over five million years ago. IT is WARMER THAN THE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY AVA TO WHICH IT IS A SUB-AVA, WHILE BEING COOLER THAN THE ALEXANDER VALLEY TO THE NORTH, MAKING IT IDEAL FOR THE STRUCTURED, YET REFINED VARIETALS OF BORDEAUX.
In 2018 we planted 883 vines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. the 2020 is our first release, and shows great promise of what this estate can produce.
“Deep, intense Bordeaux blends and exquisite, mineral-rich Sauvignon Blancs are amongst the wines for which this AVA is renowned.”
Lisa Rowlands, Vinorandom
A mews is a row or courtyard of stables and carriage houses with living quarters above them. The square Mews logo is a representation of the courtyard building from above.
The Mews courtyard, where horses and carriages would bring visitors in the 1800s, well before motorcars.
The Mews courtyard at night. The stables are through the doors in back.
No, no... not the ROYAL Mews, mummy!
The stables have hay shoots and oat shoots from the hayloft above.
An aerial shot of the mews, where you can see the shape of the building with the courtyard in the middle.
The vineyard map showing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc plantings.
three Bordeaux varieties in one vineyard
This small vineyard set on A former fruit orchard
holds four distinct lots
Lot 1 :: Cabernet Sauvignon #15
Lot 2 :: Cabernet Sauvignon #341
Lot 3 :: Merlot #181
Lot 4 :: Cabernet Franc #1
Rootstock for all is 3309C
Acquire
We’ll be able to turn this on as soon as we receive the necessary licensing from the various authorities. Can’t wait to see you as part of the Mews Wine experience.
