~ August/September 2002 ~

We got the 2001s in the bottle just in time!
It's been a crazy few weeks, so we're combining the August and September newsletter this time around. We just bottled the 2001s at the end of August, and, wouldn't you know it, the harvest came on fast and furious, arriving just a few days later. The first of our fruit has already arrived, and we'll continue to pick through the next month (since there's such a variation in temperature among our vineyards). Picture: Dan, Mac McDougall and Mark Pasternak inspect Mac's Sonoma Coast vineyard during quieter times.

New and Improved Press Kits...Really!
As we told you last time, we've been working on updating our press kits. Well, the project is finally completed and all the pieces put together. This week, we're mailing out a supply of press kits to each state's sales manager to share with their reps, accounts, and whoever else you feel would be a good recipient. If you need more, just let us know and we'll send additional kits out to you. As a reminder, you can also download all our press kit pieces, product sheets and recent press articles at our website. Just click here (www.duttongoldfield.com/trade) to go right to the page, or go to www.duttongoldfield.com and choose "Making Contact" then "For the Trade".

Shelf Talkers, Too!
Also included in the packet going out this week are our new shelf talkers. We started with the Dutton Ranch Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (both 1999 and 2000 vintages), and are sending to your state a supply of the ones we show you have purchased last. If you want more of these, or need different ones, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach Valerie directly at valerie@duttongoldfield.com, or (707)823-3887.

In the Vineyards
Labor Day weekend was the perfect ending to summer...and beginning of harvest. With summer's final heat wave, the grapes in the warmer areas hit their peak and the picking began. We brought in our Morelli Lane Chardonnay today, and the Maurice Galante Pinot Noir will be coming in Thursday. The last (and coldest) vineyards of Freestone Hill and Devil's Gulch (Marin County) will probably be harvested in mid-October.

Events
Dutton-Goldfield Winery will be participating in the 2000 Sonoma County Harvest Fair for the first time this fall. We're submitting four of our wines for the competition, and will be pouring at the Awards Night on September 28 and at the Fair October 5 and 6. If you're in the area, please be sure to stop by and say hello.

Coming up on Wednesday, November 13 is the Family Winemakers of California Tasting 2002 in San Francisco. The event is open to public as well as the media and trade, and there's no charge for pre-registered attendees. For more information, call (415)721-2666 or go to www.familywinemakers.org.

D-G Administrative Office Closed
We'll be doing an east coast swing in September, taking part in the fall trade shows, so the main office will be closed from September 14 through 25. We'll try to check in periodically, but for immediate assistance, call Dan at (707)829-6868.

Wine News and Press
The August/September issue of The Wine News included an extensive article by Jeff Cox entitled "Cool Climate Pioneers". Dutton-Goldfield, along with Flowers, Phelps, Wild Hog Vineyard, Hirsch and Williams-Selyem, are featured in the article, which highlights the Sonoma Coast and Freestone as areas that have most recently seen a surge of grape growing activity.

Dutton-Goldfield's 2000 Freestone Hill Pinot Noir was reviewed in the Tasting Bar, scoring a 90:

"Complex floral aromas mingle with distinctive scents of cinnamon, clove and allspice with hints of cherry, sarsparilla and a touch of smoky oak. Rich fruit dominates the flavor profile, and the finish is long and luscious. The structure of this wine is sturdy with firm but sweet tannins, despite a rather high pH of 3.75".

The 2000 Freestone Hill Pinot will be released in November.

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Also on the Pioneering and New Wine Release news front:

The 2000 Devil's Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir will be released on October 1. Located on a steep, convoluted hillside adjacent to the Point Reyes Peninsula in western Marin County, Devil's Gulch is another pioneering planting. Vineyard owner Mark Pasternak lives on the property with his family and is truly passionate about increasing the fame of Marin County as a viticultural area. He is dedicated to sustainable agricultural practices and minimal chemical use. The ranch combines steep terraces, shallow soil, an extremely cool location, protected exposures and well-chosen Dijon clonal selections to produce a small crop of unique fruit.

The wine jumps out of the glass with vivid aromas of cranberries, raspberries, leather and nutmeg. This nose is echoed in its vibrant cherry red color. It follows on the palate with juicy red berry fruit and supple tannins. The moderate alcohol and bright acidity let the exotic vineyard character shine as it should.

You can place your orders for the 2000 Devil's Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir now for October 1 shipment.