Further comments from our winemaker, Gideon Beinstock:

Understanding the vineyard and its varieties
A vine may live for over a century and a vineyard for millenia. By comparison, our twenty-plus years of experience are very scant. With all our friends in the “New World” wine industry, indeed we are beginners. With every passing vintage, our knowledge of our vineyard and its myriad of microclimate and soil variations increases. And with it, our understanding of each lot of grapes harvested and of the elusive “perfect” method of vinifying it. In time you will get to taste more of our exciting individual terroir expressions in various grape varieties, such as Pinot Noir and Syrah. You will have a chance to experience the fascinating variations on the theme of Cabernet Sauvignon. Each Cabernet vineyard site is subtly different in nuance, spice and style, yet each clearly discloses its deeply rooted origin in the Renaissance Vineyard.

Older vines
As our vines approach their second quarter-century of existence, we witness the increasing effect of their advancing age on the wine quality. In Europe it is widely recognized that the older the vine, the better its potential for quality. The wine's texture (or “grain”) grows more and more refined as the vine matures, and its inner core of fruit becomes more concentrated. One of the advantages of having planted our vines on their own roots--rather than on any rootstock--is the increase in their potential longevity, which, in turn, will keep raising grape quality over many decades.

New blends/varieties
After the shock caused by a re-grafting process, it takes a few years for a mature vine to regain its natural balance and produce fruit up to its full quantity and quality potential. Our extensive 1994-96 grafts have now mostly healed and, over the next few vintages, will result in some exciting new varietals in our product line. We will also experiment with new blends, seeking to improve tried-and-true products such as Chardonnay, and venture into uncharted territory with, for instance, possible blends of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Syrah.

One great advantage of being a “New World” wine grower is freedom from tradition: our horizons are not obscured by inflexible notions of right and wrong in relation to viticulture and winemaking. We are free to take risks and learn by experience. At Renaissance Vineyard and Winery, we are committed to consistently improving the wines we bring to your table.