The 2005 Barbera is a deep red color. The aromas are rich with cooked berry and new oak. Typical of Barbera is a tangy tartness, smooth finish and lots of fresh fruit flavors. Scents of vanilla and caramel from the small oak barrel aging complement the fruit aromas and flavors. Approachable now, this is a very nice wine to drink young.

Vintage
The growing season of 2005 started out with a normal spring but the record winter and spring rainfall gave plenty of early growth. A hot early summer continued the growth and berry development and a large crop was the result. The weather remained dry throughout the harvest, resulting in perfect fruit condition. As usual this is the last variety into the winery and we harvested it in late October.

Vineyards
Barbera is the most widely planted red wine grape in the Piedmont region of Italy. It has emerged as the noble Italian varietal of Amador County. Italian immigrants brought Barbera vines from their native Piedmont to California in the mid-nineteenth century. Our Amador Barbera consists of three vineyard blocks: Grandpère Vineyard, Oleta Vineyard and Bill Parson’s Vineyard. It is one of the perfect combinations of matching grape to region and the ability of this wine to win more medals than any other Sierra Foothill wine is fitting.