Mackenzie on Wine
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August 2010

Martin MackenzieDear Friends,  

Hallelujah here comes the sun! Finally we are hitting our straps as the sun heats the place up. The vines have been worked harder than normal this year as the early summer has been cool and we have looked to maximize the exposure of our fruit to the sun. We are now paying dividends for this early work as the mildew problems that have allegedly plagued the valleys have left us unscathed. In addition to that, our grapes are well acquainted with the sun and will prove hardy to the rays should things really heat up towards the end of ripening. The result should be improved color and ripe tannins at lower sugar levels.  

This month we released the awesome 2008 Petroni Chardonnay made from grapes on our Trinity Ranch property as well as from some select southern Napa vineyards, hence the designation of Napa on the label. This anomaly was enough to fool some folks at the Napa versus Sonoma Sibling Rivalry wine tasting competition, although it did not stop the wine from getting first place with both the public and the judges. Silky, fragrant with superb fruit gobbling up some classy oak are the hallmarks of this outstanding wine that is destined to create even more of a stir as it enters the marketplace. It’s another sad farewell to the previous, much loved Chardonnay, but exciting to get acquainted with the 2008, which I consider superior to the sold out ‘07.  

As the 2008 begins its conquest of the Chardonnay market, this month we are putting the 2009 Chardonnay to bottle along with the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2008 Brunello di Sonoma. They are all of the high standards you have come to expect from Petroni Vineyards with outstanding fruit, structure and the taste of the land that distinguishes the range.  For those who want to make a splash this holiday season, let me quietly pass onto you that we have been filling some large format bottles at Lorenzo’s special request. My advice is, if you want to slip a few of these into your cellar before Lorenzo commandeers them all, you should begin to make enquiries to Drinda Petroni: wine@petronivineyards.com.  Awesome at the dining table with family and friends, they never fail to impress and guarantee that everyone will get that second glass, or third, or fourth; it all depends how big you want to go!  

Last off, I would like to give a big shout out to our Tasting Room Manager, Elizabeth Garneau, who has been instrumental in gearing up our tasting room and lifting the standards of wine presentation to a new level. With the pool side tasting and superb views, I again encourage you to bring your friends and make the trip to Petroni Vineyards; we are excited to share our experience with all of you.  

Ciao,
Martin Mackenzie
Petroni Vineyards Winemaker