2022 Pax "The Bench Vineyard" Vermentino, Clement Hills, Lodi, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

100% Vermentino. 100% The Bench Vineyard (Clements Hills-Lodi AVA). 100% whole cluster pressed. 4-month élevage in stainless steel tanks, concrete, and neutral 500L puncheons.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Pax Wine Cellars is focusing on the production of premium vineyard-designated Syrah based wines from the North Coast of California. They hope to eventually add a Grenache based wine, and a Northern Rhone inspired white wine. Quality is key and sourcing exceptional sources for these two wines is paramount. Their Mission Statement is simply stated; “To produce reference point Syrah based wines that are indicative of where they are grown”. They are not trying to replicate any other Syrah produced in the world; Hermitage can only be made from one place. Their intent is to create unique wines with strong personalities of where they are grown. They believe that the cooler climates along the northern coast of California have the potential to produce world-class Syrah, and that is their goal. They utilize traditional winemaking techniques; it is a style of winemaking that is really without a style. The uniqueness of the growing sites for each of these vineyards should give the wine its personality; it is their job to encourage that personality to shine through. They feel the best way to accomplish this is by utilizing Indigenous fermentations, minimal handling, unobtrusive use of the finest French oak and bottling without filtering or fining. This approach to winemaking is very pure and unadulterated; therefore the wines will typically vary in color, alcohol, pH and most other characteristics that determine any given winery's ‘style’. Each of their wines is the purest expression of that vineyards fruit that they are able to capture in the bottle. This is the reason that sourcing vineyards of exception or at least vineyards that have ‘something to say’ is the single most important thing that Pax can do to guarantee its success. They spend as much time in their vineyards as they can. It is simply the only way. Pax leases their parcels by the acre or row when necessary, and they encourage organic farming practices. Low yields are a rule and each vine is cared for individually.