2023 Turley Cinsault Bechtoldt Vineyard

Planted in 1885, this Cinsault vineyard is certainly the oldest of its kind in the United States, and perhaps even the oldest Cinsault in the world! A light-bodied red grape, Cinsault (pronounced SAHN-so) is usually found in the south of France as a component of Châteauneuf- du-Pape in the Rhône Valley, or consumed as rosé in Provence. The Bechthold Vineyard vines are gnarly, head-trained, and dry-farmed in deep, sandy soils. They’re also ungrafted, meaning they remain on their original vitis vinifera roots that were first planted 136 years ago, a phenomenon nearly impossible to replicate today. The wine is light- bodied with fresh, high acidity, almost akin to a Gamay or a very light Pinot Noir. It’s fermented using only natural yeasts and aged in 100% used French oak.

• AVA: Lodi

• Sub-AVA: Mokolumne River

• Soil: Sandy Loam

• Planted: 1886

• Varieties: Cinsault

• Viticulture: Head-trained, dry-farmed, hand harvested

• Fermentation: Native yeast

• Barrels: 100% used French oak

• Aging: 7 months in barrel

• Bottled unfined

• First Turley Vintage: 2008

• Serving Temp: 50-55ºF