About Fogarty
Few wine regions on earth can match Santa Cruz Mountains’ climates, soils and vertigo-inspiring views. Set high in the mountains overlooking California’s Silicon Valley, the Thomas Fogarty winery has been making single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet from the SCM appellation since 1981. Fogarty’s two estates are divided into micro-vineyards, ranging from .25 to 5.25 acres, based on soil and topography. All are maritime (12-18 miles to Pacific), cool-climate (Regions I and II), high-elevation (1600-2300 feet), low yielding (1-3 tons per acre) and mountainous. The winery was founded by Dr. Thomas Fogarty, a Stanford cardiovascular surgeon and world-renowned inventor.

Vintage
2004 was a unique growing season in much of California. Some of the warmest weather we have ever experienced in September rapidly accelerated ripening in most, if not all, of our vineyards. The resulting wines are laden with concentrated, ripe fruit flavors. Yields were below average, resulting in both high acidity and sugar at harvest.

Vineyards
Dick Martella, Winemaker Michael Martella’s brother, farms our Barbera at his mountain vineyard in the Fiddletown AVA. The red soils and warm weather seem to be well suited for this Piedmont variety.

Winemaking
Harvest took place in early October. We drained off about 5-10% of the juice to concentrate the resulting wine after a few hours of soaking. It was cold soaked for 3 days and inoculated for primary fermentation. Aged in older French Oak for 15 months this wine is a fantastic expression of Sierra Foothills Barbera.

Tasting Notes
California could do with more Barbera. It’s strong bouquet and firm acids make it one of the most food-friendly wines on earth. Our 2004 Fiddletown is all cherry, tar, rose hips and earth. It’s juicy flavors and well-buffed tannins make it the ideal mate for most tomato based sauces.

TECHNICAL DATA:

Appellation
Fiddletown

WINEMAKER
Michael Martella

VINEYARDS
100% Barbera

Finished alcohol: 15.2%
Acid/pH: .79/3.38
Oak treatment: French Oak, 15 Months
Total production: 328 cases
Retail price: $35.00