WINEMAKER'S NOTES
This light, bright pink wine delivers a surprising concentration of flavors and aromas. The dramatic nose yields up intense strawberry, cherry and pomelo fruit aromas as well as a subtle hint of both lilac and lavender. The amazingly rich mouth has flavors of ripe strawberry, cherry and pomegranate, giving the wine a perception of sweetness without sugar. The Van Duzer 2005 Rosé goes well with barbeque, smoked meats and fruit-based salads or on its own as the perfect sipping wine for a hot summer day.

THE VINEYARDS
We chose a block of Pommard grapes in the northeast section of the Van Duzer Estate to make our Pinot Noir Rosé because of the intensity of its fruit and floral character. Our classic Van Duzer micro-climate of warm days and cool nights accompanied by mild west winds favors the development of flavor while maintaining the ever- important acid structure of the fruit.

WINEMAKING
A traditionally-made Rosé relies on the extraction of Pinot Noir flavors and rosy color during the brief time that the grape juice is in contact with the grape skins. We aim for a refreshing full-flavor style by processing only in stainless steel and releasing soon after bottling. The grape clusters are hand harvested and sorted, then de-stemmed and crushed directly to press. The crushed fruit is allowed to soak in the press for 5 hours, picking up color and flavor from the skins. Pressed off to a tank for cold-settling, the juice is racked on the following day and inoculated with a yeast known for enhancing aromas. It is allowed to cold ferment until dry, racked clean, cold stabilized, and then bottled.