Ruth Lewandowski Dinos to Diamonds Picpoul 2017

Dinos to Diamonds is an annual experimental one-off from Evan Lewandowski of Ruth Lewandowski Wines, produced in a different grape and style each vintage. The 2017 edition is 100% Picpoul sourced from Rorick Heritage Vineyard in Calaveras County, near the town of Murphys in the Sierra Foothills AVA. It was the first fruit Lewandowski ever pulled from that site.

Rorick Heritage Vineyard sits at 2,000 feet elevation on limestone subsoil beneath a top layer of schist, and spans 75 acres farmed organically by owner Matthew Rorick. The alpine growing season at this elevation keeps acidity sharp and aromatics lifted. Picpoul, whose name translates to "lip stinger," retains high natural acidity even in warm conditions, and the limestone soils here add a distinct mineral backbone.

Lewandowski applied carbonic maceration and skin fermentation to the Picpoul, then aged the wine for seven months in neutral barrels. Fermentation was started in California with native yeasts, and the wine was finished and bottled in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Lewandowski operated at the time. No sulfur was added at any stage. The skin contact adds phenolic grip and texture to what is otherwise a piercing, citrus-driven grape.

As with every vintage of Dinos to Diamonds, 100% of proceeds from this wine go to charity. The 2017 edition was directed toward wildfire relief efforts following the Northern California fires of that year.