Vineyards

       Rob began planning his premium blend vineyard in the late 1970’s. With a classic style in mind, his vision was to develop a creative combination of tradition and innovation.  The historic European approach is to blend fine locally grown varietals to create great wines, such as Chateau Margaux or Valpolicella. But Rob didn’t have to rely on the mostly French varieties traditionally grown in California, he could choose fine grapes from around the world. He settled on grapes from France, Italy and Russia and two vinifera crosses developed by Professor Olmo at University of California at Davis. Each was selected for blending qualities of flavor, aroma, complexity, acid balance and tannins. For 12 years, he planted and experimented with viticulture and winemaking as a hobbyist. Contracting with University of California at Davis, their Foundation Plant Materials Department imported over a dozen Italian varieties from Italy for him- vines that had never been grown before in the US.

    In 1990, after extensive soil and climate research, he selected the northern California foothills near Nevada City for his commercial vineyard. It’s located in a mixed conifer forest at 2100 ft elevation. On a 15 acre parcel, he chose 5 acres to develop into a vineyard and winery. He had this area cleared of Ponderosa Pines and oak. The soil was cross-ripped, cleared of rock cobbles, trenches dug and irrigation system installed. Vines are irrigated by carefully regulated drip emitters with sweet, clear well water. An 8 foot deer fence surrounds the vineyard, keeping out voracious deer ( but not wild turkeys). Each hole for over 2400 plants was dug with an auger on the back of 1957 Ford 600 tractor. If there were too many rocks for the augur or a post-hole digger, Rob used a pick-axe. He installed 2 trellis systems; each one matching the vigor of the grape variety. The 2-armed lyre trellis was used for vigorous Sangiovese. The moderately vigorous vines, such as Semillon were supported by the vertical shoot positioning trellis ( VSP).

    A vineyard’s terroir is a magical mix of climate, soil and water. Avanguardia Vineyard’s terroir has 3 microsites, not dissimilar from regions in Italy. The Southwest slope is warm, dry and rocky. The Northeast slope is cooler with deeper soils. The Bottomland near the stream is cool, but rocky. The soil is clay loam built from a base of Triassic slate, overlaid with glaciated cobbles. Summers temperatures peak in the 90’s, but are moderated by Delta breezes from the coast. Spring and Fall are often long and mild. Winter usually brings 2-3 snowstorms with temperatures in the 20’s. Average rainfall is  55-70 inches, mostly in the winter.
    Heat loving varieties ( Sangiovese, Negrara, Barbera) are planted  high on the SW slope. Rkatsiteli, with it’s Russian winter heritage, buds out late at the end of May and is planted at the bottom of the SW slope where frosts persist. The SW slope also has a small section for Corvina and Molinara.  Short season whites ( Melon de Bourgogne, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris ) are sited on the uppermost NE slope. The NE slope also has rows of Corvina, Carmine, Refosco, Biancolella, Erbaluce, Forastera, and Tocai Friulano.  The Bottomland is planted in Dolcetto, Rondinella, Montepulciano, Chenin Blanc, Peverella , Orange Muscat, Flora, and Semillon.

    Veraison ( coloring of the grapes) occurs in July and August. Grape clusters are thinned with a goal to yield 3 ½ tons per acre. After veraison, watering is limited. Harvest stretches from the end of August or beginning of September through the second to third week in November. To determine ripeness, Rob checks berry samples each variety for Brix, pH, and total acidity and condition. Marilyn likes to also check the seeds and skins for color and taste.  Our harvests produce 750-1000 cases of delicious premium blends.

    The entire vineyard is rich in local wildlife. Coveys of Valley Quail commonly scratch the soil beneath the grapes. On any one day, it’s easy to find Mountain Bluebirds, wild turkeys, flickers, meadowlarks, red-tailed hawks and many other species. Gray squirrels,  opossums, raccoons, jackrabbits, red fox, and coyotes are frequent visitors. A wide array of fascinating spiders make their home in the grape leaves along with other healthy insect predators such as the preying mantis. The vineyard is a healthy ecosystem based on sustainable farming practices.