Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1036886
october 2018 / the tasting panel / 49 tainable in 2013–2014," Justin explains. "In 2016, we earned the California Green Medal at the CSWA's Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards." In a related rebranding campaign, McManis Family Vineyards recently unveiled a redesigned label that clearly designates each wine as "Certified Sustainable." A "Certified Green" Lodi Rules seal, meanwhile, appears on each back label. "By this time next year, just about all our bottlings will carry one of the seven appella- tions in which we farm: River Junction, Lodi, Borden Ranch-Lodi, Clements Hills-Lodi, Jahant-Lodi, Mokelumne River-Lodi, or Clarksburg," Justin says. "Our Barbera will continue to be California-appellated since it comes from our Jamie Lynn Vineyard right in front of the winery here in Ripon," which is not part of an AVA. A SAMPLING OF MCMANIS FAMILY VINEYARDS WINES McManis Family Vineyards 2017 Pinot Grigio ($12) Fragrant flower and citrus notes with suggestions of honeyed pear; lemony-dry, pure, and light on the palate, it finishes with a lip-smacking stoniness. According to Winemaker Mike Robustelli, "future vintages will carry a River Junction appellation." "Our 400-acre River Junction Vineyard is the only vineyard in River Junction [an AVA since 2001], which lies in a lower river bottom consisting of sandy loam. Temperatures are a good 5 degrees lower than surrounding areas," he adds. McManis Family Vineyards 2017 Estate Grown Pinot Noir ($12) The exuberantly pure fruit style of this variety is immediately apparent. Strawberry accompanies loamy and sweet tea–like undertones with a soft, round, supple, and medium-bodied feel. "The industry says you can't grow Pinot Noir in Lodi, but the region's Mediterranean climate says different," Robustelli says. "It is also a culmination of the family's viticultural standards, particularly in our Creekside Vineyard [a 250-acre Jahant-Lodi planting in gravelly-clay San Joaquin Series soil] and our Sierra Loma Vineyard in Borden Ranch AVA [650 acres on rolling hills of rocky, red-clay Redding Series soil]." McManis Family Vineyards 2017 Jamie Lynn Vineyard Barbera ($12) This gives everything you'd want in a California-grown Barbera: It's beautifully bright with a clear cherry/raspberry perfume; zesty, medium-full body with piercing acidity; and buoyant, fluid fruit unencumbered by excess oak or tannin. Sourced from the family's smallest vineyard (2 acres), it's available nationwide at a fantastic price. McManis Family Vineyards 2017 Petite Sirah ($12) With a vivid, opaque hue, this wine is unabashedly intense. On the heels of a lush blueberry/boysenberry nose with smoky and spicy nuances, a plethora of fruit gushes through the sturdy yet well-rounded body. "Twenty percent of this wine is blended with Tannat and smaller portions of Teroldego and Alicante Bouschet," Robustelli says. "It's crafted for Petite Sirah lovers, but it's also been a Best of Show finalist at the California State Fair and has made best-buy lists in national magazines every year since 2013." McManis Family Vineyards 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon ($12) Pretty aromas of raspberry and cassis with black-tea and cedar-box embellishments; fairly easy yet firmly dry, the medium-full body features loamy, earthy notes underlining the mid-palate. "Small amounts of Petit Verdot, Tannat, and Teroldego enhance this varietal," Robustelli says. "Most of the fruit came from the family's Liberty Vineyard [225 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in Lodi's rocky Borden Ranch AVA] as well as the Lone Oak Vineyard [320 acres in Lodi's Clements Hills]." The McManis family: Winemaker Justin McManis, Vintner & Supply Chain Coordinator; Stefanie McManis; Lincoln McManis; Dirk Heuvel, Vineyard Manager; Tanya McManis Heuvel, Office Administration; Kody McManis; Ron McManis, President and co-owner; Jamie McManis, Vice President and co-owner; and Kaci McManis.