2018 Skipstone ''Preface'' Red Blend, Alexander Valley, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

Preface, as its name implies, serves as an introduction to the Skipstone estate and our flagship red wines: Skipstone Oliver’s Blend and Skipstone Faultline Vineyard. Preface shares much of the same DNA as our flagship wines – a testament to our terroir and winemaking expertise – and is crafted by blending our younger estate vines with select barrels to be approachable upon release.

This Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Bordeaux blend incorporates all four red varieties on our estate: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc. 2018 was a cooler vintage than average throughout the entire growing season, which allowed for long hangtimes – a combination that yielded wines of full flavor ripeness, moderate alcohols and mouthfeel, and beautifully vibrant aromatics. A touch lighter than the rest of the Skipstone wines, Preface has a medium body, yet displays the classic Skipstone vineyard characteristics: purity of fruit, density, and freshness.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Skipstone is tucked between two stunning hillsides in the mountains above Alexander Valley. We aspire to perfection in every aspect of our wine growing and estate farming, drawing inspiration from the unparalleled potential and promise of the earth. Uncompromising in our standards of sustainability and treatment of the land, we are committed to nurturing the precious resource that is our 200 acre estate. Blessed by nature, we listen intently to the terroir of our vineyards, and in turn, our wines speak eloquently of their origin.

Our organic and sustainable farming practices allow the grapes to express the natural complexity and balance of their terroir, using the earth’s natural resources to enhance the health of the vineyards while eliminating the use of chemicals.

At Skipstone no chemical herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers are used in the vineyards. Instead, beneficial cover crops such as oats, peas, beans and vetch are planted each fall to suppress weeds naturally and return valuable nitrogen back into the soil. These thriving plants also increase water retention in Skipstone’s diverse soils while attracting beneficial insects to the vineyards, naturally reducing the need for irrigation and eliminating insecticides. Each spring, this cover crop is tilled into the soil while still green and left to compost naturally into the earth, enhancing overall soil health.

Perches and boxes for hawks, owls and bluebirds have been built around the property, encouraging them to feed on insects and other creatures that could potentially damage the delicate balance of the vineyard. Throughout the growing season, the vineyard staff carefully monitors for plant and soil health. After harvest, organic compost is used throughout the rows to enhance soil quality as cover crop seed is once again applied.