2016 Ferdinand 'Shake Ridge Vineyard' Tempranillo Sierra Foothills
Wild red fruit and a touch of underbrush make for a lively Tempranillo from this wonderful, rocky vineyard, located at 1750 feet on quartz-laden soil. Hot days and cool nights mimic the original Spanish home of the vine’s budwood, helping bring out that classic Tempranillo character alongside a visceral stoniness. Too often an overlooked varietal, this smooth, savory wine is an easy, food-friendly choice for just about any pairing.
Deep in the heart of the Saar, which is known as Riesling country, there is a small distillery that has offered an interesting twist on a classic spirit. Master Distiller Andreas Vallendar, whose family has been distilling fine spirits in the region since 1824, partnered with Dorothee Zilliken of the VDP Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken estate (who have more than 270 years of winemaking experience) and a local firm named Capulet & Montague (looking to add a little romance to their gin perhaps?) to create this original spirit. Using organic grain as the base, and more than 30 local, organic botanicals, Vallendar crafts a gin that we’re sure will rise to the popularity like another botanical-heavy gin has over the last few years. In a nod to family history, the gin owes its name to the royal Prussian District Forester Ferdinand Geltz, who co-founded the VDP Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Zilliken estate, one of Germany’s finest vineyards. Give the Gin and Vermouth a try in even proportion for a Martini unlike anything you’ve ever tasted!