Location: Willamette Valley, OR
Alcohol: 13.3%

Aromas of shiitake mushroom, soy, and cooking chocolate layer over black cherry, blueberry, and blood orange. There is a density and gravity to this vintage and this wine that will reward 3-5 years of patience and the real payoff will likely come in 10-15 years.

All the fruit was hand sorted and destemmed without crushing into two 4 -ton stainless steel fermenters and one oak fermenter. After a five-day cold soak, the fermenters warmed naturally and were punched down twice a day at the onset of fermentation. After the fermentations had reached peak temperature (92° F in the cap), the tanks were aerated once a day. The new wine was pressed at dryness, settled for 5 days, then racked to barrels, where it aged 14 months in 38% new French oak.

Lewman Vineyard is certified organically grown. It was established in 1992 and purchased by Bethel Heights in 2020. It shares the shallow volcanic basalt soil typical of Bethel Heights Vineyard. Fruit for this vintage came from the southern blocks, which the winery felt had the best natural balance on the property.