Sauvignon Blanc Lolonis Vineyard

Located along the Upper Russian River in rugged northern California, Saracina Vineyards is a 400-acre working ranch and California Certified Sustainable winery. Along with breathtaking vistas and rolling hills, the property is also home to a grove of 140-year-old olive trees, vegetable gardens, beehives, and a few friendly alpacas and goats. Family is at the heart of the estate and has been since it was founded in 2001. Today, the Taub family are at the helm, proudly stewarding the land and forging an even stronger foundation of superb quality—wines that give Mendocino its due as an exceptional winegrowing region.

The grapes were sourced from the organic certified, dry-farmed Lolonis Vineyard, planted in 1942 and recognized as the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vineyard in California. The year was marked by very good precipitation, however vine age trumps here, and we saw some of the lowest yields and cluster weights ever recorded. The trade-off, concentration of fruit, was simply astounding.

The grapes were hand-picked, whole cluster pressed, and barrel fermented with native yeast in 4- and 5-year-old Burgundian barrels. The wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation. Acid levels were brilliantly elevated, and the concentrated berries produced excellent fruit intensity and weight. The juice remained on the lees for 5 months with multiple batonnages.

Our 2023 Lolo opens with floral and citrus aromas. The palate begins with invigorating, green, spring-like notes, and with time in the glass, the texture deepens, and the concentration of this amazing vineyard becomes evident.