2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County • St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

BACK

Double-Gold Medal | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Double-Gold Medal | Sonoma County Harvest Fair

Tasting Notes

Leading with aromas of lemon zest and grapefruit, this Sauvignon Blanc delights with an array of unique notes on the front of the palate. Freshly grated ginger, honeydew melon and citrus blossom are accentuated by snappy acidity. Subtle guava notes glint in the supple finish.

Vintage Notes

The 2020 growing season enjoyed near-perfect growing conditions. With minimal rain this winter, the vines were awakened with ideal moderate, spring-time temperatures which eliminated any frost threat to the developing buds. At most sites, fruit set was during the optimal timeframe due to warm, consistent conditions. Veraison occurred 7-10 days earlier than previous years due to the temperate weather and minimal rain. Moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights throughout the summer months with a few of the normal short-lived heat spikes allowed for excellent flavor development. The year saw an early harvest with 90% of the region’s grapes being picked before wildfires threatened the region in late Fall.

Vineyard Notes

Fruit for this refreshing wine comes from top growers in Sonoma County, an area renowned for producing high-quality sauvignon blanc. Cool mornings and warm afternoons produce fruit with classic Sauvignon Blanc characteristics and pronounced flavors.

Winemaker Notes

To retain the bright flavors and crisp acidity of this varietal, the grapes were picked at dawn and arrived at the winery cold. The grapes were pressed and a majority of the juice was sent directly to the stainless steel tank. The wine was fermented slowly at 55º for over 30 days, preserving the wonderful aromas of sauvignon blanc. We prevented malolactic fermentation to preserve the wine’s clean, crisp texture.