WillaKenzie Estate has eighteen acres of Pinot Gris, planted in 1992, 1993, and 1995. The vines are planted at 1200 vines/acre, running north to south, to allow for maximum sun exposure. All the vineyards are planted on Willakenzie soil, known for its excellent drainage. The clones used are Pinot Gris clones from the Alsace region of France, grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootstocks and trained into an upright, double guyot trellising system.
Harvest was timed on taste and physiological maturity. The goal is to let the vines fully express the fruit qualities that are characteristic of the varietal. In their gravity-fed winery they made the 2006 Pinot Gris in a rich and complex Alsatian style. They pressed whole clusters, and after cold settling of the juice, inoculated with yeast from the Alsace region, chosen to enhance the fruit’s aromatics. They fermented in stainless steel tanks slowly and at low temperatures to optimize the freshness and subtlety of the fruit.