80% Louise Swenson & 20% Itasca from Vermont, USA.

"We planted our first block of Louise Swenson at our McCabe’s Brook Vineyard in 2006. The vines are trained to a hi-wire cordon system on 10’x8’ spacing. A slightly western aspect and north-south row orientation allow for maximum sunlight and exposure to prevailing winds. Soils are deep, well drained, sandy/stony loams formed in glacial till derived from limestone, calcareous shale, schist, and quartzite. This vineyard is also the site for trials with organic and biodynamic philosophies.

Substrata wine is co-fermented in neutral oak barrels, where time and nature collaborate to transform raw potential into liquid brilliance. The completion of spontaneous malolactic fermentation adds a layer of depth and complexity. But what truly sets Substrata apart is the delicate dance of battonage.

Battonage, a technique involving the regular stirring of the lees, makes Substrata quite distinct from our other white wines. For 3.5 months, this process unfurls within the oak vessels, nurturing the wine's evolution. Through battonage, the flavors meld and mature, giving Substrata a light silkiness, a luxurious texture that lingers on the tongue."