2023 Ardure Muscat Canelli, Luchsinger Vineyard

Region: Dry Creek Valley < Sonoma < CA

Grape: Muscat Canelli

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming; half of the grapes were foot tread and then poured over remaining half into a large stainless tank to start primary fermentation. Whole cluster fermentation on skins for 10 days. Pressed off into 120 gl amphora, flex tank and 3 neutral barrique to finish primary fermentation and start natural malolactic conversion. Elevage 11 months. Bottled unfined, unfiltered and zero zero. 11% ABV; 257 cases

Winemaker: Jason Ruppert

• Former Somm turned regenerative farmer + natural winemaker
• Crystals infused into each wine during fermentation for energetic vibrance
• Part of his "ancestor series", this one an homage to immigrants
• Bright aromatics tempered by zesty acidity and tart citrus
• Exotic and sexy, like electric grapefruit juice in the tropics!

More about Ardure

Ardure, which translates to "the heat of passion" in olde French, is a brand-new project from my good friend Jason Ruppert, who has a long history in Bay Area wine.  He started as a sommelier running wine programs in Marin, Sonoma and SF before migrating into wine production, where he learned the ropes of biodynamic and organic farming from gurus like Ted Lemon of Littorai and Steve Matthiasson.  He also worked three vintages with Pax Mahle, Scott Schultz of Jolie Laide, Ryan and Megan Glaab of RYME and Jaimee Motley before being given the opportunity to farm two vineyards on his own and to make his first set of three wines for his inaugural vintage, 2018.  He also uses different crystals during primary fermentation to add in extra energetic vibrancy.  We LOVE this.

When asked to describe Ardure, Jason told us, "The general philosophy behind Ardure is integrity within making truly natural wines from the ground up. Conscious farming, attentive vinification and diligent care for our environment. And I ferment my wines with crystals to increase energetic vibration and to also stabilize the natural algorithm within the wine."