Scharffenberger CellarsWines from Mendocino County, California
Maisons Marques & Domaines. Scharffenberger Cellars new official website can be found at www.ScharffenbergerCellars.com. BackgrounderThe history of Scharffenberger Cellars begins in 1981 in the heart of California's Anderson Valley. Situated only miles from the coastal influences of the Pacific Ocean, Scharffenberger Cellars also enjoys the deep soils and sunshine within the protected valley. Originally founded by John Scharffenberger, the company has undergone many transitions, including a name change when it was formally known as Pacific Echo from 1998 until July 2004. Today, the name has been restored back to Scharffenberger Cellars under the management of Maisons Marques & Domaines.With the many changes at Scharffenberger Cellars, what has remained consistent is the quality and the original philosophy behind the winemaking. Tex Sawyer, winemaker since 1989, continues to manage the winemaking program and today works with the new ownership to preserve the glory of the original brand name. "The Anderson Valley is ideally suited to growing grapes for sparkling wine," says winemaker Tex Sawyer. "It is the coolest growing region in California, so our grapes are allowed extra time on the vine and become fully mature before harvest." Over the years, Scharffenberger Cellars has also built strong relationships with select vine growers in the Mendocino County appellation to source additional grapes for their sparkling wines. The Scharffenberger Brut is blended with two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay. The predominant Pinot Noir creates a sparkling wine that is fruit forward with noticeable aromas of strawberry/raspberry and some plum notes. The Chardonnay expresses itself with subtle tropical flavors of pineapple and hints of pear. All the fruit for Scharffenberger Brut undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation, which produces a wine that is rich with complex flavors and a round, lengthy finish. WineMaker: Tex Sawyer
Like many in his field, he never imagined that he would eventually earn his living from a grapevine. However, while studying biochemistry at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he became fascinated with winemaking, and eventually earned an M.S. in food science from UC Davis, with a specialization in enology. Degree in hand, Sawyer worked at Hoffman Mountain Ranch near San Luis Obispo, and then at both Navarro and Edmeades wineries in the Anderson Valley. In 1989, he joined Scharffenberger Cellars (which became Pacific Echo in 1998 until July 2004) as winemaker and focused his efforts on the creation of premium sparkling wines. Today, Tex continues to oversee production and winemaking for Scharffenberger's wine from Mendocino County. When not tending to the wines, Sawyer enjoys woodworking, cooking and travel, as well as a cool glass of bubbly with his wife on the deck. A genuine supporter of the Anderson Valley, Sawyer lives a short distance from the winery with his wife Lynne and their two sons, Justin and Aaron. Current VintagesBrut Non Vintage
Winemaker NotesThe wine is two-thirds Pinot Noir which produces a red fruit forward nose (cherry and plum) combined with one-third Chardonnay which adds the tropical expression of lychee nut and mango. The 100% malolactic fermentation adds a vanilla cream character producing a round and full-bodied wine. After approximately two years on the lees, there are notes of freshly baked bread and pastry that enhances the more fruit forward style of the wine. Finally, after several months on the cork, the wine develops caramel and hazel complexors.WinemakingScharffenberger Brut is made by the traditional methode champenoise process, whereby the wines are individually bottle-fermented before being riddled and disgorged. The wine is approximately two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay and undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation. Scharffenberger Brut is made from its own 120-acre vineyards in the Anderson Valley. In addition, Scharffenberger Cellars has long-term contracts with select vineyards in the greater Mendocino County. With this type of vineyard selection, it allows us to produce our trademark cuvee from the best local vineyards.Technical Information
Brut Rosé
WINEMAKING Scharffenberger Rosé is made by the traditional méthode champenoise process, whereby the wines are individually bottle-fermented before being riddled and disgorged. Most of the base wines underwent malolactic fermentation, which softens and rounds out the blend. The grapes are sourced from our vineyards in the Anderson Valley as well as other premium quality vineyards in Mendocino County with whom we have long term contracts. This type of vineyard selection allows us to choose from the best vineyards in the area, which enables us to produce our trademark cuvée. WINEMAKER NOTES The wine has a pale salmon hue with integrated aromas of fresh raspberry jam and wild strawberries on a cream covered pastry base. The flavors are layered, round, fresh, fruity and long. Technical Information
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