A DARKER SHADE OF DAMSON - 2024

Site
Bluestone Vineyard - Bridgewater, Rockingham County, Virginia 1240’ elevation
Great Country Farms - Bluemont, Loudoun County, Virginia 600’ elevationFruit

Fruit
88% Chambourcin, 12% Damson Plum 

Vinification
Damson plums were harvested in early August, resting in cold storage for a week or so to further ripening and soften the fruit. Plums were  foot tread and macerated up to five days before being pressed off to demijohns for an uninoculated, native primary fermentation. As the wine finished primary, several rackings were done to clarify the wine of its challenging fruit solids. Chambourcin was harvested in the second week of September and foot tread, whole cluster with a five day maceration. The wine was pressed off to a neutral French oak barrel and was topped up with Damson plum wine upon completing primary fermentation. The wine sat undisturbed until being racked off its gross/fine lees in March of 2025 and bottled traditional method. After resting on its lees for 5 months, bottles were hand-disgorged in early September 2025. No additions of SO2 were made at any stage of this wine.

Notes
This year’s Darker Shade of Damson shines bright in what amounted to a leaner vintage. Although there is plenty of deep, brambly fruit in the nose and obvious dark color, this wine has little “red” heft. There is a weightless lift to the pallet, carried by dry, bountiful bubbles. The Damsons weigh in heavily on the aromatics, balancing the stem driven savory spice of whole cluster inclusion. As the wine opens up, a more floral rose quality presents itself. Subtle tannins create a salivating finish. We have recently gone back through 2019-2021 vintages of this wine and have been really pleased with how they have aged. Enjoy this wine chilled with a versatility of pairings. 

24 cases produced, 10.68% Alc. by Volume, 750ml