In 2009 the two Gamay plantings we've established produced the biggest crop they've given us thus far. Though we'd bottled separate Gamays from each, in '07 and '08, I wondered whether two Gamays from the only California producer in the market was the best plan, and I was also curious to see whether a better wine might come from blending the two. A quick trial made it clear these two vineyards could give us a whole that was much greater than the sum of its parts. And the best Bone-Jolly ever!

Fruit Source Witters Vineyard, planted in 2000, on a North-facing slope, in volcanic soil, at 3,400 feet elevation, and Barsotti Ranch, just a bit lower in elevation, and a bit West and North of Witters, planted in 2005, in granitic soil.

Winemaking Notes Barsotti was picked on September 1st, early in the morning. The grapes were de-stemmed into bins, over a portion(15%) of whole cluster fruit. Witters was picked on the 2nd, and handled in the same way. Fermentation was underway in a couple of days, the grapes punched down by hand twice daily. Pressing at dryness, on the 13th, into stainless. Spontaneous malolactic in tank, in both lots. Blending was undertaken early in February, and the wine was bottled in early March, of 2010. Alcohol by volume 12.3%.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes The color is a lovely ruby-red. The nose is very fresh violets, raspberry, a little pepper, and something faintly salty, as well. Flavors are very focussed, penetrating, and persistent, with gorgeous texture, and fine length. Mouth-watering, and fun to drink, and quite complex, at the same time. Bound to provoke considerable jolliness!

Production 952 cases
Release Date April 1, 2010

Produced and Bottled by Thumbnail Moonlight, under the direction of Steve Edmunds, Winemaker