Q:
What is Petit Manseng?
A:
Petit Manseng is actually an old variety, most notably grown in
the Jurançon region of
France. The Jurançon
is in southwest France at the foot of the Pyrenees.
Famous for being the only wine to wet the lips of the
newly born infant who became King Henry IV, the grape can make a
delightful dry wine or a sweet wine with a delicate acidity.
With its loose bunches, tiny berries and thick skin, this
variety is a product of a lengthy process of selection that
resulted in a grape that is well adapted to the climate and
soils it is cultivated in and gives a true notion of the
ubiquitous term somewhereness.
Q:
What does the term “Estate Bottled" mean?
A:
“Estate Bottled” on a wine label indicates that 100 percent
of the grapes in the winery’s own vineyards must be vinified
and bottled at that winery.
Estate Bottled wines are considered to be of superior
quality and character. All
of our wines will be 100% Estate Grown, Produced, and Bottled.
This designation, as defined by the TTB, may only be used
if all four of the following criteria are met:
-- The
grapes must be grown on your land.
-- The
fermentation of the grape’s sugar to alcohol must be at your
winery.
-- All barrel aging
must be done at your winery.
-- The wine must be
bottled at your winery.
In
addition, the Estate designation may only be used for wines
that meet the above criteria within the appellation
designated. We
strongly believe that wines designated as “Estate Bottled”
are of the highest quality and that producers generally
reserve their best wines for labeling under this designation.
It is your only guarantee that the wine you are
drinking has only been touched by the owners and no one else!
Q:
What is the “Carbonneau Lyre”?
A:
The Lyre trellis system was popularized by Dr. Alain
Carbonneau in Bordeaux. This
system termed the “Cadillac of Trellis Systems” uses wide
rows, an open canopy, and shoot positioning to increase grape
maturity and quality. It
is so named because the end-on view of the trellis resembles
the shape of the musical instrument, the lyre.
A large number of experiments and evaluations in
several wine regions over many vintages have shown that the
lyre training system improves grape maturity and quality. The
wines have better balance, richness and color. Varietal wines
are enhanced by stronger fruit characters and finer tannins.
The improvement in quality is particularly noticeable
when compared with other wide-row training systems. It is also
significant when compared to the traditional French narrow-row
training systems (even in the highest density plantings) that
are lightly trimmed. The
advantages of the lyre trellis were first demonstrated in the
temperate (Bordeaux), and northern (Burgundy, Alsace, Loire
Valley) 
areas
of France. Positive effects have also been recorded in areas
similar to southern France (Tuscany, northern California,
South Australia, Uruguay). It has now been clearly
demonstrated that the lyre trellis performs exceptionally well
in a range of climatic conditions where grapes are grown.
In adverse climatic conditions, the lyre system will
minimize decreases in production normally caused by those
conditions. In such instances, the grape maturity is improved
and the lyre also has the potential to produce higher quality
fruit.
Q:
What are the disadvantages to using the Lyre trellis system?
A:
The initial cost of the trellis establishment is much
greater than for conventional trellis systems.
Also, extensive shoot positioning and pinching is
necessary to maintain complete canopy separation.
Furthermore, the system is best established before
planting to minimize maneuvering among the vines when
setting posts.
This operation of setting posts requires augering and
setting each post by hand in order to achieve the correct
angle, straightness, and depth.
It is extremely labor intensive.
DO NOT ATTEMPT WITHOUT A COMPLETE PSYCHIATRIC WORKUP.
