Vino In My Dino

Boomer, Manzanita and Yolo oh my!

November 4, 2014 13:24

Soil is the bedrock of all vineyards. Pun intended. While we talk quite a bit about weather, climate, and place, it really is the ground under our feet playing a very important role in growing a vineyard. Too much clay will mire the vine in rock hard soil, not enough and all the water will slip away. The combinations found within our 16 mile by 2 mile appellation are many layered and diverse. Now comes the high school geology part: Metamorphic, Igneous and Sedimentary soils all play their part in growing grapes. Metamorphic soils like Boomer Loam and Suther Loam reside in the benches off the valley floor and you would see streaks of red here and there. Great for Cabernet Sauvignon. Igneous soils are gravelly or rocky (DCV Rocks!) and include Manzanita Gravelly Silt Loam and Clough Gravelly Loam, found in the hills and Zinfandel does well here. Sedimentary soils are the rich soft soils of the valley floor and are rich in minerals and well drained. Yolo Loam and Cortina Very Gravelly Loam are found here and grows tasty Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. For more information you can check with the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley who put together this information. Rock on, Dry Creek Valley. I’ll toast to geology, making great wines since time began!

Our Mother Clone Zinfandel vineyard last winter showing it's Igneous side.

Mother Clone Zin Vineyard