exploring and expanding the po˜ibilities of the carneros ... · the mahoneys continue to expand...
TRANSCRIPT
Exploring and Expanding the Po�ibilitiesof the Carneros Region Since 1972
C A R N E R O S
PRESS KIT
And
next page
next page
C A R N E R O S
AndC A R N E R O S
C A R N E R O S
PRESS KIT
And
Index
Page 1: The Founders
Page 2: Our Winemaker
Page 3: Mahoney Vineyard Wines
Page 4: Fleur Wines
Page 5: Our Estate Vineyards
next page
next page
C A R N E R O S
And
Francis and Kathy Mahoney set out to realize a dream: to grow Pinot Noir that would stand
up to the French Burgundies. Although centuries of experience in French vineyards and
cellars has proven Pinot Noir to be a most difficult varietal to nurture, the Mahoneys
decided to challenge the possibilities in Northern California’s soil and climate.
Francis was captivated by the concept of terroir – the influence of soil, wind, fog, sun exposure,
and rainfall on the style of wine they produced. Turning his focus towards the undiscovered
“Los Carneros” region in the southern portion of Napa and Sonoma valleys, Francis felt that
conditions in this wind-swept countryside were ideal for Pinot Noir to thrive. So it was here
that the Mahoneys set their roots.
On a modest budget, a small, functional winery (Carneros Creek Winery) was built in 1972 and the Mahoneys’ search for
the ultimate Pinot Noir began in earnest. With Kathy in the office managing orders, compliance, staff, and finances, Francis
took to the vineyards where his intuition led him to the realization that truly great wines are primarily the result of foresight
in the vineyards. Francis used this premise as a framework around which his vineyards would be planted. Rather than
choosing Pinot Noir clones because of their propensity for high yields (a factor that played a major role in their lackluster
quality up until that time), Francis planted and studied clonal selections of Pinot Noir that had proven track records in
European vineyards along with some selections from California that lacked only the right climate and proper vineyard
management.
Using his Carneros vineyards as his laboratory, Francis, along with a team from U.C. Davis, began a tedious clonal
research project to better understand the intricacies of the more successful clonal selections. Over the course of that
twelve-year research project, it became evident that the best Pinot Noir was not to be found in a single clonal selection.
Each of the clones had unique flavor, structure, and aromatic characteristics and each had its own preference for vineyard
location, pruning techniques, watering regime, soil type, sun exposure, barrel and bottle aging.
Calling on his experience in the cellars of Burgundy, the profile of superb Pinot Noir ingrained in his memory, Francis
began blending the clones together like the colors on an artist’s palette, to create the distinctive styles of Pinot Noir now
showcased at the Mahoney Vineyards. The Mahoneys continue to expand the possibilities of the Carneros region as they
explore other exciting varieties with origins in the Old World.
THE FOUNDERS - FRANCIS & KATHY MAHONEY
Page 1
next page
C A R N E R O S
And
Francis Mahoney appointed Ken Foster, veteran Pinot Noir Winemaker, to oversee
production at Mahoney Vineyards in June, 2002. The former Winemaker/Production
Manager at David Bruce Winery in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains, Ken had been
making wine there for 15 years. Ken was an instrumental factor in changing the focus
of that winery from Chardonnay to Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel. By focusing
on small-lot production, Ken emphasized gentle handling and separation of small wine
lots for potential vineyard designate as well as appellation-labeled wines.
Ken joined David Bruce in 1987 to work crush after undergraduate studies in geology
sparked his interest in the ability to translate the qualities of a particular vineyard site
into the characteristics evident in the finished wine. During his tenure, he gained
experience with Pinot Noir drawn from fifty different vineyards and a dozen
appellations. “At Mahoney, it’s great to have vineyards within a 15-minute drive of my home so I can stay on top of
grapes as they develop. I also can draw on Francis’ rich history – his pioneering clonal trials and his more than three
decades of experience in the vineyards.”
Foster’s hiring further strengthened Mahoney’s Pinot Noir program and the wine quality enhancements instituted by
previous winemaker, Scott Rich. These enhancements included the use of small, open-top fermenters, inventive oak
barrel regimes and small-lot processing. “Ken is the perfect person to drive our quality to new heights”, Francis
remarked. “He brings a wide range of experience and a commitment to exceptional winemaking.”
True to his name, Ken nurtures the fruit from vineyard to bottle. His intricate knowledge of the technical side of
winemaking is perfectly complemented by his superb palate and an acute sense of how his wines will develop in barrel
and bottle. Ken’s philosophy is to emphasize the varietal character of the wines rather than masking them with an
over-abundance of oak tannins or other winemaking tricks-of-the-trade. Staying true to the appellation and the natural
character of the fruit, Ken assists the wines in their development rather than forcing them to bend to his will. The end
result is a lineup of wines whose varietal charm and Carneros heritage are clearly evidenced with each and every sip.
THE WINEMAKER - KEN FOSTER
Page 2
next page
C A R N E R O S
AndTHE WINES OF MAHONEY VINEYARDS
Las Brisas V i n e y a r d
ALC
. 1
3.
BY
VO
L.
C A R N E R O S
2 010
Old-World Varietals with a Carneros Heritage
In his travels abroad, Francis is always keen to sample the local wines alongside the regional foods they are meant to accompany.
While visiting his wife’s family in Liguria, Italy and his daughter while at school in Spain, Francis encountered some lesser
known varietals that he felt would be marvelous companions to his Carneros Classics. Each of these varietals is scarcely
planted in California and their total Carneros acerage is miniscule or non-existent. With Ken Foster’s assistance, Francis has
developed his Old-World varietal program to include: Albariño, Vermentino, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Tempranillo, Syrah,
Sangiovese, and an Italian blend (Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo) called Misto di Carneros. What else is in store for
fans of the Mahoney Vineyards? Only time will tell.
Page 3
The Carneros Classics
Since his earliest days of winemaking, Francis
Mahoney has primarily focused on creating
the wines of Burgundy, France with a Carneros
flare. Mahoney Vineyards currently produces
three distinct styles of estate Pinot Noir and an
estate Chardonnay. All of the wines from
Mahoney Vineyards show their “sense of
place” that clearly identifies them as Carneros
grown. The Carneros Classics are fruit
forward, balanced and structured, wines that
are food-friendly. These wines truly represent
their varietal characteristic while maintaining
that unique Carneros “sense of place”.
C A R N E R O S
ALC
. 1
3.8
% B
Y V
OL.
2 0 0 9
C A R N E R O S
ALC
. 1
4.5
% B
Y V
OL.
2 0 0 9
L a s B r i s a s V i n e y a r d
C A R N E R O S
ALC
. 1
4.5
% B
Y V
OL.
2 0 0 9
M a h o n e y R a n c h
C A R N E R O S
ALC
. 1
4.5
% B
Y V
OL.
2 011
G a v i n V i n e y a r d
Las Brisas V i n e y a r d
AL
C.
13
.0%
BY
VO
L.
2 011
C A R N E R O S C A R N E R O S
ALC
. 1
3.8
% B
Y V
OL.
2 0 0 9
L a s B r i s a s V i n e y a r d
C A R N E R O S
ALC
. 1
3.8
% B
Y V
OL.
2 0 0 9
L a s B r i s a s V i n e y a r d
next page
C A R N E R O S
AndTHE Fleur Wines
Page 4
Since the first release of Fleur Pinot Noir in 1987, Francis Mahoney has continually strived to bring to the market a line of high-quality,
value-priced wines. In this endeavor, Francis has three major assets working in his favor: he owns some exciting and proven
vineyards; he has maintained long-term relationships with local growers; and he has by his side a brilliant winemaker with a great deal
of expertise and experience. By utilizing these assets to their fullest potential, Francis has been able to resist the temptation to raise
prices, while actually increasing the quality of all the Fleur wines.
Chardonnay - Nor th Coast
With a nose full of apricots, honeysuckle and Comice pear, this beautiful wine delivers on the palate. No mouth
full of oak here, the sur lies aging adds a creamy-soft texture is perfectly melded with ample flavors of peach
and fresh pear.
Pet i te S i rah - Nor th Coast
Deep and dark in color with a beautiful hint of blueberries and lavender on the nose, once in the mouth, this
Petite Sirah explodes in flavors of blackberries, vanilla, spice and a hint of black pepper that finishes smooth
yet bright.
Pinot Noir Rosé - Nor th CoastThis lovely Rosé combines the typical Carneros Pinot Noir floral and fruit aromas with a mouthful of fresh
strawberry and honeysuckle. The wine has a fresh mouth-watering finish that cleanses the palate. A perfect
summertime wine!
Pinot Noir - Carneros
Generous aromas of pomegranate and bright red fruit, with hints of white pepper and spice. This deep ruby
red Pinot is well-balanced with distinctive Carneros fruit flavors and a broad palate that defies its price point.
Pinot Noir - Centra l Coast
The distinctive Central Coast Pinot Noir aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and earthy notes set the stage for a
smooth and well-balanced mouthful of ripe berries and a harmonious combination of acidity and structure.
2009
next page
C A R N E R O S
And
Las Brisas Vineyard
Aptly named, this 110-acre vineyard is often shrouded in fog until around noon when cooling breezes blow in from the
Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay. These maritime breezes generally subside around seven on summer evenings.
Located a half mile south of the Carneros Highway (121/12) on the Sonoma side of the appellation, this property
gently slopes to the west and tilts like a table with a short leg on the
southwest corner. The gentle grade, with only a 50-foot overall
drop in elevation, promotes uniform ripening. The soils are mainly
sandy silt with a layer of gravel from an old stream bed and one
area of black clay. A wide variety of Pinot Noir clones and an array
of Italian and Spanish varieties are grown.
Mahoney Ranch
The vines of Mahoney Ranch hug
the ridgeline to the north of and 100
feet above the valley floor. A variety
of Pinot Noir clones like Beba,
Swan, Martini, UCD 12 and Dijon
667 are planted here in lighter soils. For the first time in Francis’ 40 years of farming, he will be planting Cabernet
Sauvignon in the most arid portions of the Mahoney Ranch. In all, 44 acres of vines snake east to west over hilltops
and through swales. The frequent fog burns off mid-morning and winds stir by noon only to fade again by five o’clock.
The intensity of the summer sun is felt on western exposures where a few acres of Vermentino prospers.
THE CARNEROS APPELLATION
Influenced by the cool afternoon/evening breezes of the Pacific
Ocean and a combination of summer fog, warm days, and a long
growing season, the Carneros region was the first wine region in the
U.S. created because of its unique terroir, rather than
state/county/city political boundaries. The Los Carneros Appellation
received its American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation in 1983.
Napa
Sonoma 29121
Mahoney RanchVineyardN
Dealy Lane
Old So
noma R
oad
Ramal RoadLas BrisasVineyard
CarnerosAppellation
THE CARNEROS ESTATE VINEYARDS
Page 5