2023 Caleb Leisure, Cedilla, Friulano
"A rare find from the Sierras! Friulano is one of the varieties that drove me into winemaking, and I've been trying to get my hands on some since I started this project. This is from a tiny vineyard that neighbors Sumu Kaw, a site I've been working with for years. This lot stayed on its skins for the length of the ferment, a nod to some of the great examples out of Friuli, Italy."
TASTING NOTES: Mineral, Tangerine, Stone-fruit
PRODUCTION NOTES: Fermented and aged in qvevri and nuetral oak. 2-week maceration.
VARIETAL: 100% Friulano
APPELLATION: El Dorado, Sierra Foothills
SOIL: Volcanic loam, decomposed granite
VINES: 25 years old
"Caleb Leisure’s winemaking is steeped in traditional Georgian winemaking methods. He is the only California winemaker using authentic Georgian qvevri in his process. In 2017 he buried 10 qvevri in the earthen cellar at the Coturri Winery, making wines that are steeped in tradition, while being very contemporary. Caleb is using organic and biodynamically grown California grapes. There are no additions or subtractions in the winemaking process."