Herrmann York, Please Clap (2024)

This is a burgeoning new winery in one of the youngest growing regions in America, namely the Inland Valley east of Los Angeles. Sometimes affectionally referred to as Inland Empire, these grapes are coming from places that look a lot like Joshua Tree: Riverside, San Bernardino, and Yucaipa Valley. A desert, in my imagination, but nevertheless a place that's completely challenged my perception of what can be grown where. VARIETY: 50% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc, 20% Rose of Peru (Listan Prieto) TERROIR: Predominantly decomposed granite from the San Gabriel (Lopez and Rock Farm) mountain range. HARVEST: Grapes farmed by Jeff Newton and crew. Wine raised by Herrmann York. VINIFICATION: The varieties were fermented seperately on stems and skins and were stomped once daily for 10 days. The must was then pressed and the wine aged in neutral French oak for 9 months. The wines were assembled after malolactic conversion was complete.