North America | Oregon | Division Winemaking Company | Division-Villages Sauvignon Blanc La Frontière Oregon

Division-Villages Sauvignon Blanc La Frontière Oregon

VARIETAL
Sauvignon Blanc (Oregon 83% and Washington 17%)

NOTES
VINEYARD: The three sites that comprise the “La Frontiére” Sauvignon Blanc come from distinctly different microclimates within the Pacific Northwest; the Willamette Valley, Columbia River Gorge, and western Yakima Valley. Each experienced a cooler-than-average growing season, but with more than enough time on the vines to develop complex phenolic flavors while retaining fresh acidity and modest alcohol levels.

VINIFICATION: Finding the appropriate moment to pick Sauvignon Blanc is by far the hardest decision. The grape holds onto vegetal flavors up until full phenolic ripeness is met, which in northern Oregon and western Washington climate, is typically right before the natural acidity begins to drop and drop quickly. Once picked, the grapes undergo whole cluster ferment and settle for a day before being transferred to mostly neutral French oak barrels and stainless steel barrels. The fermentations begin naturally or with the aid of a pied de cuve pre-starter from the vineyard. Division keeps the lees quantities up to help create texture and age the wine for 6 months before blending and bottling.