Martin Ray was a somewhat irascible vintner who pioneered the idea of varietal wines in California. Ray also understood the importance of planting grape varietals in terroir that suites them.
He led the way using grapes from several regions to make his wines, focusing on mountain vineyards.
The links below will allow you to view two Quicktime videos of our 2003 Harvest Season: ‘Martin Ray Winery Crush’ and ‘Harvest on Diamond Mountain’. Experience the excitement of harvest at Martin Ray Winery!
Diamond Mountain Vineyard,
Napa Valley, California
The Diamond Mountain Vineyard was originally developed in conjunction with the University of California at Davis in the late 1890's. The soil type is an Aiken series of reddish clay loam with varying amounts of rock and cobble. The slight variation in vineyard soils, produce distinct flavor profiles, which in turn create more complex characteristics in the berries. The average depth is three to four feet, requiring very little irrigation. The vineyard is nestled in a fir and hardwood forest on a northeastern slope between 1800 and 2100-foot elevation. Mornings are typically fog free and cool. Northwesterly winds continue to cool the vineyard throughout the day, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly. Normal yields range between two and four tons per acre. The berries tend to be smallish, concentrated and intense.
Typical Characteristics of the vineyard are cedar, anise, mineral, cassis and spice.
Sonoma Mountain Vineyards,Sonoma, California
The Sonoma Mountain vineyards are located on the Northeast slope of the Mountain. The soil is shallow, rocky and volcanic in nature. The cool breezes from the ocean to the west and the San Francisco Bay to the south allow for a longer ripening period, promoting superior flavor development. Situated at 1800 feet, the vines are above the fog line, and have outstanding air drainage. The vineyards yield grapes with deep color, firm tannins and great complexity. The fruit from these vineyards is an integral component of the Martin Ray ãSaratoga Cuveeä Cabernet Sauvignon and ãMariageä Pinot Noir.
Typical characteristics of vineyards are complex earth, rich cigar, balanced fruit and exotic spice.
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyards,
Santa Cruz, California
The fruits of the Garrod Ranch and the Fellom Ranch on Monte Bello Ridge comprise the blend for the Martin Ray Santa Cruz Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. The Garrod Ranch has a soil composition made up of adobe clay mixed with gravel. The morning and evening fog, along the with other maritime influences from the Monterey and the San Francisco Bays, create a particularly long growing season that allows the berries to reach full maturity with concentrated color and rich flavors. On the Fellom Ranch on Monte Bello Ridge, the shallow, stony soils control vine growth, resulting in smallish berries with intense flavors, structure and deep color.
Typical characteristics of the vineyards are mint, eucalyptus, herb, mineral, cherry and a terroir quality unique to the Santa Cruz Mountains. |
