VINEYARDS
RPM GAMAY IS SOURCED FROM TWO VINEYARDS IN EL DORADO COUNTY: BARSOTTI AND WITTERS.
The vines at Barsotti are planted in granitic soil at 2,600’ at the edge of the American River Canyon about four miles North of Placerville. Witter’s vineyard was planted in 2000 in soil composed of decomposing granite and volcanic clay-loam at 3,400’ above the small town of Camino. Both sites are cooled by their elevation and proximity to the American River that drains the western flank of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east. The soils in this region are very similar to the those found in the Beaujolais region of France where Gamay Noir thrives. Yields are held to moderate levels to allow full development of the grapes in these difficult growing conditions. The resulting fruit has a vibrant personality with soaring aromatics, ample natural acidity, deep color and wonderful structure.
WINEMAKING
ONCE HARVESTED WE EMPLOY THE USE OF WHOLE-CLUSTER FERMENTATION AND MANUALLY CRUSH BY FOOT.
Primary and secondary fermentations are carried out utilizing native yeasts with no inoculations. A portion of the wine undergoes a carbonic maceration that deprives the grapes of oxygen and favors enzymatic fermentation of the sugars before finishing traditionally with native yeasts. Upon completion of primary fermentation the wine is basket pressed to neutral puncheons for one year of ageing. The final wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.