2015 SER "JOHN SMITH VINEYARD" SAN BENITO COUNTY GRACIANO

2015 SER "JOHN SMITH VINEYARD" SAN BENITO COUNTY GRACIANO, CALIFORNIA. 100% Graciano.

Graciano is a red varietal grown primarily in Rioja, Spain where it is traditionally blended with Tempranillo to deepen color, add aromatic complexity and provide structure for aging. There are only a handful of Graciano plantings in California. All the fruit for this comes from a single vineyard in the northern foothills of the Central Coast region, where a diversity of soil types, varying elevations and long sunny days balanced by cooling breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean create ideal conditions for this late-ripening, low-yielding grape to thrive. Fermented and aged in primarily neutral French oak, this red offers a wild nose of dark fruits and spice along with great concentration and structure on the palate for enjoying with a range of foods, grilled meats especially.

Made by grower-winemaker-surfer Nicole Walsh, project manager for Randall Graham of Bonny Doon’s 400 acre Popelouchum project and who makes wine with minimal intervention under her own label, Ser, based in Santa Cruz. Nicole is committed to preserving the unique character of varieties and sources in her wine and selecting interesting vineyards with special soils and microclimates.