2018 Rootdown Pinot Blanc Rivin Ranch, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

Planted in 1995, Rivin Ranch Vineyard (née Shrader Ranch) borders the Russian River on the south end of Ukiah in Mendocino County. Its Russian series soil is deep and well-drained, formed in alluvium from sedimentary rock.

Once this Pinot Blanc hit the winery, it went direct to the press in order to maintain its natural freshness. The juice was cold-settled overnight and then two-thirds of it was racked into neutral barrel and the rest into stainless steel with native yeast. After fermentation, the wine is racked into stainless to rest until bottling in April.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Rootdown was started by winemaker/owner Mike Lucia in 2014 initially as a rose-focused brand but has since grown to produce rose, white, and red. Mike got his start in wine at a very early age growing up in Healdsburg in Sonoma. After working for producers such as Ridge and earning a viticulture degree from Fresno State, Mike became the assistant winemaker at Copain in 2010. He oversaw the Tous Ensemble program and oversaw most aspects of day to day winemaking. Upon Copain’s sale to Kendall Jackson, Mike is now able to fully focus on Rootdown. Considered one of the most talented young winemakers in California, Rootdown is a label to watch.