Wine Regions
Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County, located 1 1/2 hours north of Los Angeles,
consists of 3 AVA's. Santa Rita Hills, Santa Maria Valley and Santa
Ynez Valley, each providing distinctive characteristics based on
variety and microclimate. The Labyrinth Pinot Noirs are sourced from
the Santa Maria Valley AVA and its unique micro climate is derived from
the inland flow of flog and cool ocean breezes which makes the regions
one of the coolest viticultural areas in California. Degrees days
measure 2200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Labyrinth Pinot Noirs from both the Santa Maria Valley and Yarra
Valleys are produced as practically similar as is possible and this
allows the footprint of the vineyard to be more prominent than the
style of the wine maker. The key difference is clone and soil type.
Grapes grown in Santa Maria Valley are on alluvial sandy gravel,
relatively free draining and contribute more to the aromas of the wine
than the clay dominant soils of the Yarra Valley.
Paso Robles
The Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA) is located halfway
between Los Angeles and San Francisco and covers a diverse
cross-section of microclimates from the cool ocean influenced west side
to the warmer, Mediterranean-like regions east of the town of Paso
Robles. The Paso Robles AVA has built an enviable reputation for
full-bodied, bold assertive wines. Rhone, Spanish and Bordeaux styles
predominate.
The primary source of grapes for the Labyrinth HAKA wine program is
French Camp Vineyard providing
Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah and Tempranillo. The geographic
location is the south-eastern section of the Paso Robles AVA surrounded
by the Santa Lucia foothills. Daytime temperatures can reach 105
degrees Fahrenheit, but cool air from the Pacific Ocean can drop the
air temperature by up to 50 degrees and allows grapes to optimally
ripen with retained acids.
Yarra Valley
The
Yarra Valley, located approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) north east
of Melbourne, Australia, is recognized for producing some of
the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Australia. It also holds the
distinction of being Victoria's oldest wine region, originally planted
in 1838. The outbreak of phyloxera, the global depression of the
1930's, and changing consumer tastes resulted in the last winery
closing in 19378. The first of a new generation of wineries was founded
in 1963 and several wineries from the previous era re-opened. The Yarra
Valley principal characteristics are its cool climate compared to the
rest of Australia. January mean daytime temperatures average 19 degrees
Centigrade (64 degrees Fahrenheit) and average rainfall measures
1000mm (40 inches) of which 550mm (22 inches) falls during the growing
season. Degree days measure 2070 degrees Fahrenheit.
Labyrinth sources grapes from 2 vineyards located on the northern side
of the valley which favors clay loam to red-brown clay subsoil,
generally higher in acid and low fertility. Grapes grown on these
soils, and Labyrinth picks in particular, show earthy, minerally, damp
earth characters. Labyrinth yields are kept very low and fruit is
picked earlier to preserve the bright red fruit flavors and higher
natural acidity which extend the cellaring ability of Labyrinth Pinot
Noirs.
For more information about the Yarra Valley, see their Yarra Valley
Wine Growers Association website.