VASCM: AppellationAmerica.com Evaluation of SC Mts Pinots / the subregions of the SC Mts.

[Mary Lindsay]

Hi, all:

Prudy Foxx and Mary Lindsay, along with Laura Ness, have been working 
closely with AppellationAmerica.com to drive a series of evaluations of 
our appellation wines.  The latest is an evaluation of Santa Cruz 
Mountains Pinot Noir, which is now online at 
http://wine.appellationamerica.com/best-of-appellation/SCM-Pinots.html 
.  Notwithstanding a few corrections they still need to make to it, it 
is an intense and exciting review of the quality of the wine produced 
from our vineyards. Check it out!

An important result of this, as well as the Chardonnay evaluation 
previously done, is the identification of distinct subregions within the 
appellation. Thanks to Nick Guerrero at Vine Hill, we have a better name 
for the corridor following Hwy. 17.  'Los Ranchos' honors the historical 
ranchos of that area, and this should be reflected soon on the 
Appellation America website.

The subregions are:
- Skyline
- Los Gatos/Saratoga
- Summit Rd.
- Los Ranchos (following along Hwy. 17)
- Corralitos
- Ben Lomond

This subregion concept is going to be the basis of the tech session and 
Grand Cruz tasting at Pinot Paradise, details of which are being worked 
out and will soon be communicated. This will give everyone a chance to 
explore the unique flavor profiles of each subregion. And they are 
distinct. What was very interesting from the evaluation was that despite 
clonal differences and differences in winemaking styles, the underlying 
terroir from each subregion shone through.

Note that the Chardonnay evaluation has recently been updated with a 
beautifully written story by Laura Ness that goes into some detail about 
the varying flavor profiles of this variety in the different subregions. 
The Chardonnay evaluation is at 
http://wine.appellationamerica.com/best-of-appellation/Santa-Cruz-Mountains-Chardonnay.html 
. Laura's story is at 
http://wine.appellationamerica.com/best-of-appellation/Santa-Cruz-Chard.html 
.

Enjoy the reading!

Regards,
Mary Lindsay
VASCM
408-234-2079 (cell)