Alison Wrigley Rusack and her husband Geoffrey, who planted Catalina’s first vineyard, are debuting their first release of wine from the vineyard. Their limited production of a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are available at their Rusack Vineyards winery in the Santa Ynez Valley and through their wine club, Isla Wine Circle. Wrigley Rusack’s great-grandfather, chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., bought the Santa Catalina Island Company back in 1919.
The following are descriptions of the wines they are offering:
Alison Wrigley Rusack and her husband Geoffrey, who planted Catalina’s first vineyard, are debuting their first release of wine from the vineyard. Their limited production of a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are available at their Rusack Vineyards winery in the Santa Ynez Valley and through their wine club, Isla Wine Circle. Wrigley Rusack’s great-grandfather, chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., bought the Santa Catalina Island Company back in 1919.
The following are descriptions of the wines they are offering:
Zinfandel—The small one-acre block of this varietal on Santa Catalina Island has produced an elegant, softer style of wine—not your typical Zinfandel. After facing challenges ranging from a plague of crickets to strange nodules, the vintners discovered were “adventitious roots”—the Rusacks were excited (and relieved) to see the second bud break arrive on schedule in late February 2009, which was to be our first vintage year. Because Zinfandel seems to display its most widely recognized characteristics by being grown in warmer climates, we located it on the warmest southern exposed slope. Hand sorting of clusters ensures that only the best make it to processing. The grapes are then fermented in three-quarter ton containers, pressed to barrels and aged in American and French oak for 15 months. The resulting wine is unique, showing characteristics of black pepper, with berry aromas and flavors. Sixty-two cases were produced.
Chardonnay—A great varietal selection for the island climate, this Chardonnay exhibits old world characteristics of caramel and mineral notes, along with California flavors of citrus and apple, with well-balanced acidity. Fermented and aged in French oak barrels for 11 months, the wine went through partial malolactic fermentation and received minimal winemaking intrusion to showcase the true distinctiveness of fruit from this Santa Catalina Island climate. Two hundred sixty-five cases were produced.
Pinot Noir—Another varietal well suited for the cool climate and clay loam soils of Santa Catalina Island, this wine is a blend of French clones planted in three small blocks.
Each has its own microclimate due to row orientation and specific location at El Rancho Escondido. The wine is fermented in small three-quarter ton containers and gently transferred to French oak barrels, where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and aging for 12 months. Exhibiting distinct aromas and flavors of tobacco, along with earthy notes and a hint of cherry and raspberry, it is truly unique and beautifully balanced. True to the varietal, this offering is very delicate, yet age worthy. One hundred twenty seven cases were produced.
For more information or to join the Isla Wine Circle, visit the Rusack Santa Catalina Island Vineyards website here: http://www.catalinaislandvineyards.com/.
