Fall Primoris Wine Club Event
Harvest is upon us… Let’s Celebrate Fall Primoris Wine Club!
Join Ledger David Cellars for our fall Primoris Wine Club pick up during two weekends; September 15-17 and September 22 -24 at Le Petit Tasting Room. Enjoy Ledger David’s delectable fall wines including our 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Epitome of Three, and the newest release – our 2015 limited production Tempranillo paired with complimentary small bites.
Looking forward to private event hours? We’re hosting three separate evenings just for wine club members! Enjoy wines paired with delectable bites from 6-7pm September 15, 22 & 23. *An RSVP is required for the private seating hours Sept 15, 22, & 23 from 6-7pm so that we can offer cozy & personalized service & enough tasty fare for all. Limited seating available each evening.
Private Wine Club Hours:
Fri. & Sat. | Sept 15, 22 & 23 | 6-7pm* Wines paired with small delectable bites. *RSVP required. 541-664-2218 General Hours: Sat. & Sun. |Sept 16 & 17 and Sept 22 & 23 | Noon-5pm Wine tasting & artisan bites. Celebrate wine club releases all weekend!
General Wine Club Hours:
Sat. & Sun. | Sept 16 & 17 and Sept 23 & 24 | noon to 5pm Daily* *Celebrate wine club releases and artisan bites during two weekends in September for your convenience!
Fall Wine Club Selections Include:
3-Bottle Members
2016 Sauvignon Blanc (1), 2015 Tempranillo (1) & 2015 Epitome of Three (1)
Reds Only: 2014 Sangiovese (1), 2015 Tempranillo (1) &
2015 Epitome of Three(1)
Whites Only: 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (1), 2015 Chardonnay (1) &
2016 Viognier (1)
6-Bottle Members
2016 Sauvignon Blanc (2), 2015 Tempranillo (2) & 2015 Epitome of Three (2)
Reds Only: 2014 Sangiovese (2), 2015 Tempranillo (2) &
2015 Epitome of Three (2)
Whites Only: 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (2), 2015 Chardonnay (2) &
2016 Viognier (2)
12-Bottle Members
2016 Sauvignon Blanc (3), 2015 Tempranillo (3), 2015 Epitome of Three (3) & 2014 Sangiovese (3)
Reds Only: 2014 Sangiovese (3), 2015 Tempranillo (3), 2015 Epitome of Three(3) & 2014 Sublimus (3)
Whites Only: 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (3), 2015 Chardonnay (3), 2016 Viognier (3) & 2015 Radiant White (3)
BILLING INFO: Please let us know if your billing information has changed. Call the tasting room at (541) 664-2218 or email [email protected] and Heather Davis would be delighted to update your payment information before processing your wine club order. You can also now update your credit card online with our secure wine club form. Wine Club Update
We will be processing orders on September 10. It is important for us to run cards ahead of wine club to ensure a seamless and enjoyable wine club pick-up experience for our members.
WINE CLUB DISCOUNTS: As a reminder, 3-bottle members receive a 15% discount, 6-bottle members a 20% discount and 12-bottle members a 25% discount on all wine club selections.
OTHER PICK UP OPTIONS: If you are unable to join us during event weekends, your wine selections will be available on or after Wednesday, September 13 at the tasting room in Central Point (next to the Rogue Creamery). Stop by any time during regular hours; noon to 5pm daily to pick up your wine! Or contact us and we will gladly ship your wines (shipping fee charged to your card on file).
Summer Primoris Wine Club Event
Summer Primoris Wine Club Event Details with Current Wine Releases and Private Hours! (Please RSVP)
Join Ledger David Cellars for our summer Primoris Wine Club pick up party June 2-4 & 9 at Le Petit Tasting Room. Enjoy Ledger David’s most scrumptious summer wines including our 2015 Radiant White, 2013 Orion’s Nebula and 2015 Malbec – our latest release.
Looking forward to private wine club hours? We’re hosting three separate evenings just for wine club members! Enjoy wines paired with delectable bites from 6-7pm or 7:30-8:30pm June 2, 3 and 9. *An RSVP is required for the private seating hours Friday and Saturday at either 6pm or 7:30pm so that we can offer cozy & personalized service & enough tasty fare for all. Limited seating available each evening.
Private Wine Club Hours: Fri. & Sat. | June 2, 3 & 9 | 6-7pm OR 7:30-8:30pm* Wines paired with small delectable bites. *RSVP required. 541-664-2218 General Hours: Sat. & Sun. |June 3 & 4 | Noon-5pm Wine tasting & artisan bites. Celebrate wine club releases all weekend!
Summer Wine Club Shipments Include:
3-Bottle Members
Mixed: 2015 Radiant White (1), 2013 Orion’s Nebula (1) & 2015 Malbec (1)
Reds Only: 2014 Syrah (1), 2013 Orion’s Nebula (1) & 2015 Malbec (1)
Whites Only: 2015 Radiant White (1), 2015 Chardonnay (1) & 2016 Viognier (1)
6-Bottle Members
Mixed: 2015 Radiant White (2), 2013 Orion’s Nebula (2) & 2015 Malbec (2)
Reds Only: 2014 Syrah (2), 2013 Orion’s Nebula (2) & 2015 Malbec (2)
Whites Only: 2015 Radiant White (2), 2015 Chardonnay (2) & 2016 Viognier (2)
12-Bottle Members
Mixed: 2015 Radiant White (3), 2013 Orion’s Nebula (3), 2015 Malbec (3) & 2014 Syrah (3)
Reds Only: 2014 Sublimus (3), 2013 Orion’s Nebula (3), 2015 Malbec (3) & 2014 Syrah (3)
Whites Only: 2015 Radiant White (3), 2015 Chardonnay (3), 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (3) & 2016 Viognier (3)
BILLING INFO:
Please let us know if your billing information has changed. Call the tasting room at (541) 664-2218 or email [email protected] and Heather Davis would be delighted to update your payment information before processing your wine club order. You can also now update your credit card online with our secure wine club form. Wine Club Update
WINE CLUB DISCOUNTS:
We will be processing orders on May 30th. It is critical for us to run cards ahead of wine club to ensure a seamless and enjoyable wine club pick-up experience for our members. As a reminder, 3-bottle members receive a 15% discount, 6-bottle members a 20% discount and 12-bottle members a 25% discount on all wine club selections.
OTHER PICK UP OPTIONS:
If you are unable to join us during this event weekend, your wine club selections will be available after Monday, June 5th at the tasting room in Central Point (next to the Rogue Creamery) any time during regular hours; noon to 5pm daily! Or contact us, and we will gladly ship your wines (shipping fee charged to your card on file).
Spring Primoris Wine Club Event
Join Ledger David Cellars for our spring Primoris Wine Club pick up party March 3-5 at Le Petit Tasting Room. Enjoy Ledger David’s newest wines including our 2016 Viognier, 2014 Cabernet Franc and 2014 Sublimus – Super Tuscan style red blend.
Looking forward to private wine club hours? We’re hosting two separate seatings at 6pm and 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday just for wine club members! Enjoy wines paired with delectable bites from 6-7pm or 7:30-8:30pm Friday and Saturday. *An RSVP is required for the private seating hours Friday and Saturday at either 6pm or 7:30pm so that we can offer cozy & personalized service & enough tasty fare for all. Limited seating available each evening.
Private Wine Club Hours: Fri. & Sat. | March 3 & 4 | 6-7pm OR 7:30-8:30pm* Wines paired with small delectable bites. *RSVP required. 541-664-2218
General Hours: Sat. & Sun. |March 4 & 5 | Noon-5pm Wine tasting & artisan bites. Celebrate wine club releases all weekend!
Spring Wine Club Shipments Include:
3-Bottle Members
2016 Viognier (1), 2014 Cabernet Franc (1) & 2014 Sublimus (1)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (1), 2014 Cabernet Franc (1) & 2014 Sublimus (1)
Whites Only: 2016 Viognier (1), 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (1) & 2015 Radiant White (1)
6-Bottle Members
2016 Viognier (2), 2014 Cabernet Franc (2) & 2014 Sublimus (2)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (2), 2014 Cabernet Franc (2) & 2014 Sublimus (2)
Whites Only: 2016 Viognier (2), 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (2) & 2015 Radiant White (2)
12-Bottle Members
2016 Viognier (4), 2014 Cabernet Franc (4) & 2014 Sublimus (4)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (4), 2014 Cabernet Franc (4) & 2014 Sublimus (4)
Whites Only: 2016 Viognier (4), 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (4) & 2015 Radiant White (4)
BILLING INFO: Please let us know if your billing information has changed. Call the tasting room at (541) 664-2218 or email [email protected] and Heather Davis would be delighted to update your payment information before processing your wine club order. You can also now update your credit card online with our secure wine club form. Wine Club Update
WINE CLUB DISCOUNTS: We will be processing orders on February 26th. It is critical for us to run credit cards ahead of wine club to allow for a seamless and enjoyable wine club pick-up experience for our members. As a reminder, 3-bottle members receive a 15% discount, 6-bottle members 20% and 12-bottle members 25% discount on all wine club selections.
Intimate Winemaker Dinners February 24 & 25
Join Vintner David Traul and the Ledger David team for intimate winemaker dinners on both Friday, February 24th & Saturday, February 25th, from 6:30-8:30pm at Le Petit Tasting Room in Central Point. The evening of February 24th is nearly full, thus a second dinner has been added to the Ledger David calendar!
Featured wines include 2017 San Francisco Chronicle gold medal winning wines; Sauvignon Blanc & Petit Verdot, our ever-popular Sangiovese, as well as special barrel tastings of our 2015 Malbec and our 2014 Viognier port-style wines. These wines will be paired with a special five course dinner menu created by Chef Bill Prahl from Déjà Vu Bistro & Wine Bar.
Cost is $65 for wine club members, $70 for non-wine club members. Pre-paid Reservations Required. Limited Seating. Email [email protected] or call (541) 664-2218 (open from noon to 5pm daily) for more information or to make your reservation!
MENU:
Pacific Crab Cakes & Fennel Jicama Salad with Meyer Lemon Caper Aioli
Paired with 2015 Sauvignon Blanc
Rustic Soup of Kale, Tomatoes, Beans, Italian Sausage & Shaved Parmesan
Paired with 2013 Sangiovese
Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, Buttered Baby Yukon Potatoes &
Sun Dried Tomato-Olive Compote
Paired with 2015 Malbec from the Barrel
Slow Cooked Grass Fed Beef Roast, Crimini Mushrooms
with Winter Vegetable Hash & Marinated Red Cabbage
Paired with 2014 Petit Verdot
Banana Citrus Crème Brûlée with Vanilla Burnt Sugar
Paired with 2014 Viognier Port-style Dessert Wine from the Barrel
Winter Primoris Wine Club Event
Join Ledger David Cellars for our winter Primoris Wine Club pick up party December 2-4 at Le Petit Tasting Room. Enjoy Ledger David’s newest wines including our most adventurous red blend, 2014 Dark Night, our 2014 Tempranillo and our always-popular light & crisp 2015 Chardonnay.
Looking forward to private wine club hours? We’re staying open late on Friday and Saturday just for wine club members. Enjoy wines paired with delectable Spanish bites from 6-8pm Friday and Saturday. *An RSVP is kindly requested for the private hours Friday and Saturday from 6-8pm, so that we can arrange for enough tasty bites for all. Limited seating available.
Private Wine Club Hours: Fri. & Sat. | December 2nd & 3rd | 6-8pm
Wines paired with small delectable bites. *RSVP kindly requested.
General Hours: Sat. & Sun. | December 3rd & 4th | Noon-5pm
Wine tasting. Comfort foods; Spanish stew with chorizo and white bean ragù with pork.
Winter Wine Club Shipments Include:
3-Bottle Members
2015 Chardonnay (1), 2014 Tempranillo (1) & 2014 Dark Night (1)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (1), 2014 Tempranillo (1) & 2014 Dark Night (1)
Whites Only: 2015 Radiant White (1), 2015 Chardonnay (1) & 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (1)
6-Bottle Members
2015 Chardonnay (2), 2014 Tempranillo (2) & 2014 Dark Night (2)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (2), 2014 Tempranillo (2) & 2014 Dark Night (2)
Whites Only: 2015 Radiant White (2), 2015 Chardonnay (2) & 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (2)
12-Bottle Members
2015 Chardonnay (4), 2014 Tempranillo (4) & 2014 Dark Night (4)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (4), 2014 Tempranillo (4) & 2014 Dark Night (4)
Whites Only: 2015 Chardonnay (4), 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (4) & 2015 Primoris (4)
BILLING INFO:
Please let us know if your billing information has changed. Call the tasting room at (541) 664-2218 or email [email protected] and Heather Davis would be delighted to update your payment information before processing your wine club order. You can also now update your credit card online with our secure wine club form. Wine Club Update
WINE CLUB DISCOUNTS:
We will be processing orders on Monday, November 28. As a reminder, 3-bottle members receive a 15% discount, 6-bottle members 20% and 12-bottle members 25% discount on all wine club selections.
OTHER PICK UP OPTIONS:
If you are unable to join us during this event weekend, your wine club selections will be available after Monday, December 5th at the tasting room in Central Point (next to the Rogue Creamery) any time during regular hours; noon to 5pm daily! (Closed December 25th). Or contact us, and we will gladly ship your wines (shipping fee charged to your card on file).
Insight into the 2014 Dark Night
One wine. Three varietals. Six different clones. Seven harvest days. Four hours of blending trials. 25% new French oak. 22 months in barrel. Third vintage. 2014 Dark Night.
A traditional blend? No.
A rule breaker? We wouldn’t dare.
A deviant from the norm in blends? Yes.
Why? A commitment to high quality, exceptional wines that express terroir and are created from star varietals from our estate vineyard in Talent. An expression of synergy & exponential complexity. A sum greater than its parts.
Intentional. Bold. Beautiful.
Description? (In the words of Mr. Robert Trottmann)
A full bodied, deeply pigmented wine replete with complexity and nuance.
Black purple in hue. The colorist in you will be delighted.
The aromatics are ripe black cherry, cocoa, espresso, nutmeg and cedar.
The acidity is firm and perfectly balanced.
The finish is lengthy and pronounced with lingering notes of vanillin.
A wine for the masses? Maybe. Maybe not.
A limited production example of an adventurous red blend from Ledger David? Definitely.
Proprietary blend. Tempranillo.Malbec.Syrah. 275 cases produced. Release: Winter Wine Club 2016. Decant now. Will cellar for 3-5 years.
Have we piqued your interest? Hope so.
Southern Style Poached Shrimp on a Toasted Roll Paired with Dry Sangiovese Rosé
So, Robert has a love of Southern cooking and in honor of our Ledger David Sangiovese Dry Rosé, simple summer food and, well, living in the deep South of Southern Oregon, he’s offering up this simple sandwich. The color of the shrimp and the fresh flavors of this sandwich pair up perfectly with this wine. This wine is magnificent. Heck, even if you don’t like white wines or Rosés, this one will win your taste buds heart. Make this up and pair the sandwich with an heirloom tomato and watermelon salad. Throw a little bit of chopped peaches into the salad and drizzle with a vinaigrette dressing and have a delightful picnic. Here’s to enjoying the last days of summer. Enjoy!
Makes 4 rolls
1½ lbs. poached shrimp (recipe below)
½ cup garlic and lemon aioli (recipe below)
1 tbsp. mint leaves, chopped
2 tbsp. celery leaves, chopped
2 tbsp. chives, chopped, plus more to garnish
4 split-top rolls or buns
Combine shrimp, aioli, mint leaves, celery leaves, and chives together in a bowl, and stir until the shrimp is coated. Toast the rolls and divide the shrimp salad between them. Garnish with chopped chives and serve.
Poached Shrimp
2 tbsp. Old Bay seasoning
3 bay leaves
1 tbsp. whole black peppercorns
3 tbsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 cups LDC Sangiovese Dry Rosé wine
2 whole lemons
1½ lbs. shrimp, peeled and deveined
Combine Old Bay, bay leaves, peppercorns, salt, red pepper flakes, wine, and 6 cups water in a thick-bottomed pot. Cut the lemons in half and squeeze the juice into the pot. Place the mixture on the stove over medium-high heat and bring it to a simmer. Then drop the shrimp into the poaching liquid and simmer for several minutes or until just cooked through. Using a skimmer, remove the shrimp, and place them in the refrigerator to cool. Discard the poaching liquid.
Garlic and Lemon Aioli
1 egg yolk
½ tsp. garlic, chopped
1½ tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1½ cups vegetable oil
Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl. Whisk until just slightly foamy. Slowly drizzle in oil, continuing to whisk, until the mixture looks like mayonnaise, and then add ¼ cup of water to thin it slightly. Check seasoning and add more salt if needed.
Fall Primoris Wine Club Event
Join Ledger David Cellars for our fall Primoris Wine Club pick up party September 9th-11th at Le Petit Tasting Room. Celebrate the release of Ledger David’s newest wines including our 2015 Radiant White, 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve, and our long-awaited 2013 Orion’s Nebula red blend. Enjoy these wines with Mamma Mia’s wood-fire oven pizza from noon to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Looking forward to private wine club hours? We’re staying open late on Friday, Saturday and Now Sunday! just for wine club members. Enjoy wines paired with French fare from 6-8pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. *An RSVP is kindly requested for the private hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6-8pm, so that we can arrange for enough tasty bites for all.
Private Wine Club Hours: Fri., Sat. & Sun | September 9th, 10th & 11th | 6-8pm
Wines paired with small French bites. *RSVP kindly requested.
General Hours: Sat. & Sun. |September 10th & 11th | Noon-5pm
Wine tasting with Mamma Mia’s wood-fire oven pizza.
Summer Wine Club Shipments Include:
3-Bottle Members
2015 Radiant White (1), 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve (1) & 2013 Orion’s Nebula (1)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (1), 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve (1) & 2013 Orion’s Nebula (1)
Whites Only: 2015 Radiant White (1), 2015 Chardonnay (1) & 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (1)
6-Bottle Members
2015 Radiant White (2), 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve (1), 2013 Sangiovese (1) & 2013 Orion’s Nebula (2)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (2), 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve (1), 2014 Tempranillo (1) & 2013 Orion’s Nebula (2)
Whites Only: 2015 Radiant White (2), 2015 Chardonnay (2), 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (2)
12-Bottle Members
2015 Radiant White (3), 2013 Sangiovese (3), 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve (1), 2014 Tempranillo (2) & 2013 Orion’s Nebula (3)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (3), 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve (3), 2013 Orion’s Nebula (3) & 2014 Tempranillo (3)
Whites Only: 2015 Radiant White (3), 2015 Chardonnay (3), 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (3) & 2015 Primoris (3)
BILLING INFO:
Please let us know if your billing information has changed. Call the tasting room at (541) 664-2218 or email [email protected] and Heather Davis would be delighted to update your payment information before processing your wine club order. You can also now update your credit card online with our secure wine club form. Wine Club Update
WINE CLUB DISCOUNTS:
We will be processing orders on Tuesday, September 6. As a reminder, 3-bottle members receive a 15% discount, 6-bottle members 20% and 12-bottle members 25% discount on all wine club selections.
OTHER PICK UP OPTIONS:
If you are unable to join us during this event weekend, your wine club selections will be available after Monday, September 12 at the tasting room in Central Point (next to the Rogue Creamery) any time during regular hours; noon to 5pm daily!
Summer Primoris Wine Club Event
Join Ledger David Cellars for our summer Primoris Wine Club pick up party June 10-12 at Le Petit Tasting Room. Celebrate the release of Ledger David’s newest wines including our 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, 2013 Sublimus – our Premiere Super Tuscan, and our ever-popular 2013 Sangiovese. Enjoy these wines with Mamma Mia’s wood-fire oven pizza from noon to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Looking forward to private wine club hours? We’re staying open a little late on Friday and Saturday just for wine club members! Enjoy wines paired with small Italian bites from 6-8pm both Friday and Saturday.
*An RSVP is kindly requested for the private hours Friday and Saturday from 6-8pm, so that we can arrange for enough tasty fare for all.
Private Wine Club Hours: Fri. & Sat. | June 10 & 11 | 6-8pm
Wines paired with small Italian bites. * RSVP kindly requested.
General Hours: Sat. & Sun. | June 11 & 12 | Noon-5pm
Wine tasting with Mamma Mia’s wood-fire oven pizza.
Summer Wine Club Shipments Include:
3-Bottle Members
2015 Sauvignon Blanc (1), 2013 Sangiovese (1) & 2013 Sublimus (1)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (1), 2013 Sublimus (1) & 2013 Tempranillo (1)
Whites Only: 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (1), 2015 Primoris (1), 2015 Chardonnay (1)
6-Bottle Members
2015 Sauvignon Blanc (2), 2013 Sangiovese (2), 2013 Sublimus (2)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (2), 2013 Sublimus (2) & 2013 Tempranillo (2)
Whites Only: 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (2), 2015 Primoris (2), 2015 Chardonnay (2)
12-Bottle Members
2015 Sauvignon Blanc (3), 2013 Sangiovese (3), 2013 Sublimus (3), & 2013 Tempranillo (3)
Reds Only: 2013 Sangiovese (3), 2013 Sublimus (3), 2013 Tempranillo (3) & 2013 Cabernet Franc (3)
Whites Only: 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (3), 2015 Primoris (3), 2015 Chardonnay (3) & 2015 Viognier (3)
BILLING INFO:
Please let us know if your billing information has changed. Call the tasting room at (541) 664-2218 or email [email protected] and Heather Davis would be delighted to update your payment information before processing your wine club order. You can also now update your credit card online with our secure wine club form.
WINE CLUB DISCOUNTS:
We will be processing orders on Monday, June 6. As a reminder, 3-bottle members receive a 15% discount, 6-bottle members 20% and 12-bottle members 25% discount on all wine club selections.
OTHER PICK UP OPTIONS:
If you are unable to join us during this event weekend, your wine club selections will be available after Monday, June 13 at the tasting room in Central Point (next to the Rogue Creamery) any time during regular hours.
2013 Cabernet Franc Wins Gold, Best of Show at 2016 Cascadia Wine Competition
A reflection on our journey with Cabernet Franc thus far; a lesson in sunshine.
Aeterna lux solis. Eternal sunshine or sunshine eternal. The Cabernet Franc grape requires eternal sunshine to grow and develop complex flavors. Complex Cabernet Franc wine brings sunshine eternal to those who covet the grape.
Gold, Best of Class
2016 Cascadia Wine Competition
Just recently, our 4th vintage (2013 Cabernet Franc) earned a Gold, Best of Class distinction at the Cascadia Wine Competition. In their March 2016 article, “Top Wines from 2016 Cascadia Wine Competition,” Great Northwest Wine declares the award winning vintage “…a superb example of Cabernet Franc.” The magazine goes on to say, “…this winery is gaining a reputation as a top Rogue Valley producer.”
Now, it’s time to reflect for a moment, and thank the editors for recognizing this varietal and the quality of the fruit and wine that we are working toward producing from our estate vineyard. To be recognized is humbling, as there are many great producers here in southern Oregon. Still, we are doing our part to make wines that reflect the terroir of our cooler locale, in a warm region. A site with multiple microclimates and varying degrees of elevation and fruit orientation on our 26 acres of land.
Here’s a glimpse into the path that lead to our 2013 Cabernet Franc. Producing this wine required complex, detail oriented, hands-on involvement from selecting varietals to specific clones, to vineyard practices with early leaf-thinning and multiple passes to thin grapes at veraison and 80% color change. We worked with experts in the industry including Greg Jones, PhD, Randy Gold, Pacific Crest Vineyard Services, Marcus Buchanan from OSU extension, Martin Mochizuki, from Napa based Mochizuki and Associates, and heeded the advice of winemakers Linda Donovan, John Quinones, and Herb Quady – who is very familiar with the Cabernet Franc in our vineyard and is becoming known as an expert for this varietal. In the vineyard, we watch, we listen to the experts, we walk, we taste, we farm, we wait, we taste again, we harvest, and then we wait again.
Our first 2010 vintage Cabernet Franc won silver at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine awards. Future vintages continued to garner awards at the Chronicle, with our 2011 also earning the “Champion” title in SIP Magazine’s 2014 Best of the Northwest wine awards. In the industry, it means something to see your name listed next to Ledson and Quady North in wine competitions. The effort that goes into producing exceptional Cabernet Franc fruit results in some personal bias toward that from your own estate, so third party reviews validate that feeling of successful farming of this grape in southern Oregon.
Farming complex, full flavored fruit sometimes equates to taking risks. Allowing the fruit adequate hang time to develop. This was especially needed in the cooler 10 and 11 seasons. Sometimes we wait to harvest Cabernet Franc late into October or into early November. Several extra days of sunshine on the Cabernet Franc clones can make a significant difference in complex flavor development. So rather than harvest Cabernet Franc when the flavors are “nearly there” in early October, we wait. And in southern Oregon that often means the risk of rain and/or frost.
Despite longer hang-time, cooler evenings at our site allow the Cabernet Franc fruit to maintain its acid, allowing for a more balanced wine. As the tasting notes from Great Northwest Wine describe, “…aromas of mild oak, vanilla, and Bing cherry lead to flavors of dried herbs, blueberry and a hint of cocoa powder. Everything is backed by remarkable acidity and mild tannins – making this a classic example of Northwest Cabernet Franc.”
Beyond the reviews and most important for the Ledger David family, we love to share this wine and enjoy the reaction as we pour the 2013 Cabernet Franc in our tasting room. Sharing our Cabernet Franc with those who have a similar affinity as we do for this grape is rewarding on a daily basis. We love to share the sunshine.
Cheers, to Aeterna lux solis.
Lena
I’d be amiss if I didn’t note… a very small lot of 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve is aging in the cellar as we speak. Our first reserve vintage. Wine Club members and those who purchased futures at our winter Vintner Dinner series got a sneak preview and a taste of the Sunshine to come.
