Single Vineyard Series
The Finger Lakes contains a mosaic of soil types, slope, aspect to the sun, and microclimate giving each vineyard its own identity. While this variety adds multiple dimensions to our wines, it also presents an opportunity for us to further celebrate the land in our Single Vineyard Series. We bottle the special flavors produced from one particular vineyard in years when the fruit is of intense quality and such distinctive character that it demands to stand alone as a pure expression of terroir.
Sunrise Hill Vineyard
Sunrise Hill Vineyard, a picturesque landscape located on the western side of Cayuga Lake, was founded by Bob and Kathy Ruiz and is now owned and operated by father-son partners Jay and Seth Birnbaum. Here, 12 acres of eastern-facing vinifera grapes are grown. The combination of soil, location and climate produce grapes that are packed with bright, fruit-focused flavors with just a hint of mineral and spice.
2013 Vintage Notes
Warm weather enthusiastically welcomed the spring of 2013 and brought bud-break slightly ahead of schedule. Warmer than average temperatures throughout the early and middle parts of the growing season showed promise of a great vintage. As the season progressed, the summer brought moderate rainfall, which when coupled with the high temperatures created high disease pressure within our vineyards. Diligent leaf-pulling and fruit-thinning relieved an abundance of stress from our grapes and resulted in beautiful fruit, fully-ripened and without disease. The fall ushered-in cool weather and generous winds, leading to drier conditions and an ideal harvest. The wines produced from the 2013 vintage are finessed with bright fruity flavors and fine, elegant tannins.
