Vineyard
A remote site in the foothills of the Chiricahua Mountains. The vines are grown at 5,000 feet on granite and gneiss derived sandy loam, embedded with gravel and cobbles in clay and limestone. The farming practices at Red Tree Ranch are organic, animal and insect friendly and the vineyard is irrigated only when necessary. The ranch is situated in the middle of a riparian wildlife corridor and is home to desert tortoises, deer, bobcats, turkeys, javelina, owls and other birds of prey.The Grapes
The Fiano vines were planted in 2010 and farmed organically since 2020. The practicing organic grapes grow creekside, in the cool mountain air surrounded by groves of oak, sycamore, cottonwood, cypress and juniper. Extreme diurnal shifts of hot days and cool nights allow the grapes to preserve aromas and natural acidity. Because of the cooler climate in the Chiricahua Foothills, the Fiano grapes ripen more slowly, allowing for longer “hang time” and greater acid development.Golden Brown 2023
VARIETY Fiano
BRIX at Harvest 21
PH in Bottle 3.37
LOCATION Chiricahua Foothills, Arizona
VINEYARD Red Tree Ranch
SOIL TYPE Granite and gneiss derived sandy loam, embedded with gravel cobbles in clay and limestone
PRODUCTION 75 cases
ALCOHOL 12%
Vinification
The Fiano grapes were hand picked with the help of friends and transported to Arizona Stronghold in Camp Verde, Arizona for vinification. The grapes were destemmed and fermented with native yeasts on the skins for 12 days with several punch downs a day before being pressed off at dryness into a stainless tank. The wine was aged for ~7 months and only racked once before bottling. Unfined, unfiltered with 20 PPM of added SO2 one week before bottling.Expression
This wine is a proper orange wine. Tannic, phenolic, aromatic and truly expressive of the Fiano grape and the Chiricahua Foothills terroir. Notes of citrus season in Arizona on the nose, French lemon tart on the palate. Pleasant acidity with a balanced roundness on the finish. Some have said this wine is the natty version of lemon/lime gatorade!