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Blue Rock is located
in the northern Alexander Valley near the town of
Geyserville. The vineyard, consisting of 43 acres,
was replanted in 1982 to the 5 Bordeaux varietals.
In 1993, an additional 3 acres of Beaucastle-clone
Syrah were planted in the hills. The ancient olive
trees are beautiful and still produce tiny amounts
of organic oil.
Bordeaux varietals are adaptable to many soil and
climate conditions but develop great character and
longevity in relatively few locations. Blue Rock,
nestled in the western hills between the Dry Creek
and Alexander Valleys, is blessed with a Maritime
climate consisting of cool mornings and warm days
that make it one of those special places where
Bordeaux varietals develop clarity and finesse. The
vineyard elevation is between 300 and 400 feet above
the valley floor. As a result, the soils are hallow,
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generally no
more than 18 inches deep, before the roots hit a
layer of clay and serpentine rock. The vines are
small, tightly spaced in the replanted sections, and
the yields average a modest 2.5 tons per acre.
Further complexity is derived from the multiplicity
of root stocks and clones.
The name Blue Rock comes from our soils, which are
studded with blue pebbles, rocks, and boulders of
serpentine. The serpentine rock defines the unique
flavor profile of the vineyard, as serpentine
naturally devigorates the vines and reduces the
yields to very low levels. Today, the very best
vineyards are planted on devigorating rootstocks in
order to improve the flavor and density, something
that comes naturally to Blue Rock. |
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