2022 Homage au Douro Blanc

This fortified (“port style”) wine is a most unique amalgam and a collection of odd twists. 

Firstly, it’s a white port, secondly, it’s made from an obscure varietal with a similar sounding name to a more well-known variety. It is not the common, and more widely known, Muscadelle. Muscadelle du Bordelais is not the same grape cultivated in the Bordeaux and Bergerac regions of France and which has spread internationally. 

DNA analysis confirms that this grape is absolutely different and really only known within California. (See: UC Davis Foundation Plant Services, Grape Program Newsletter, October 2009.) To our knowledge there are only 2 or 3 rows of this varietal in Washington State.

On this effort, we were in pursuit of “drinkability” if such a thing is possible in a Port. To that end, this was fortified at a moderate level of alcohol, 19%, and fermentation was stopped at a time when more sugar than typical was consumed by the matched yeast we used. 

In the best Portuguese tradition this wine was subject to a gentle crush; being personally stomped by a seasoned vintner, Rana Campbell. 

Our approach is a proud homage to Washington State; including the brandy used to fortify it; distilled from WA state Chardonnay by Skip Rock Distillers, in Snohomish, WA. 

Yakima Valley AVA
Lonesome Springs Ranch

100% Muscadelle du Bordelais
375ml