2018 Idlewild "Fox Hill Vineyard" Dolcetto, Mendocino, USA
ABOUT THIS WINE
Planted in the Fox Hill Vineyard in Mendocino this is a rare gem from California. The plantings were inspired by the owner, Lowell Stone who decided to follow his passion and plant what he was most interested in. Many trips to Italy turned to inspiration and the wild spectrum of varieties began to take root. Dolcetto does have a serious side that when shown in balance highlights the grape's ability to be compelling. Fermented 100% whole cluster with partial foot treading, this vintage shows the contrast of bright freshness against a firm structure that Lowell Stone loves seeing in Dolcetto.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Sam Bilbro grew up hanging out in a winery converted from an old cow barn, walking vineyards, and tasting blends with my dad. Later, while in the restaurant industry, he was exposed to wines from across the globe and was especially struck by the wines of Italy’s Piedmont.
Learning natural systems and the world of wine in general was his route to making wine and starting Idlewild. He was also fortunate to have many friends and family to learn from along the way.
Idlewild sources fruit from just two vineyards: Lost Hills Ranch and Fox Hill Vineyard Both are managed by Wild Ruth Farming, a collaboration between Idlewild and Ruth Lewandowski Wines. Holistic farming ensures that the site and vintage are allowed to speak.
Lost Hills Ranch is a dream. The beautiful loneliness of the open hills and the sentinel oaks covered in Spanish moss project out a sense of calm. The vineyard sits at 1500 ft of elevation, and the roots work hard to dig into fractured sandstone with schist veins and just a thin top layer of sandy clay. The Yorkville Highlands AVA sits along the southwest corner of Mendocino county and is marked by the clash of maritime and continental climates.
Fox Hill Vineyard is one of the most unique vineyards in Northern California. Located southeast of Ukiah on Mendocino’s Talmage Bench, the soils are well drained with high concentrations of gravel, quartz, and sandstone. What makes this site so special is the fact that Lowell Stone decided to buck every trend and simply plant what he was interested in planting. Many trips to Italy turned to inspiration and the wild spectrum of varieties began to take root.