Vintage: 2020
Grape(s): 100% Clarksburg Chenin Blanc
Fermentation: Whole Cluster
Appellation: Clarksburg AVA
Region, Country: California, USA
Size: 750 ml
Winemaker(s): Megan Bell

Great news everyone: Block 20 was farmed completely organically starting in 2020! Another success story that proves my theory that if you invest time into building relationships and commit to a goal, agricultural change is possible. When I began to work with this vineyard in 2016, I nudged vineyard manager David toward the idea of organically farming this 20-acre block. Agricultural change doesn’t happen overnight, and David has been working for years toward the achievement of organic conversion in this block.
Part of the Margins mission is to work with growers while they transition their vineyard to organic farming by providing guidance as well as assurance that the grapes will have a home. I believe that if I work with solely organic vineyards, I am not using my role in the industry to its full potential to enact agricultural change.

Vinification:
Whole cluster pressed to stainless steel tank for fermentation. Aged in neutral oak for 5 months with weekly bâttonage. Native fermentation, no fining, no filtration, no other modifications or additions except 20 ppm of sulfur dioxide the week before bottling.