A Darker Shade of DAmson 2025 

Site
Bluestone Vineyard - Bridgewater, Rockingham County, Virginia 1240’ elevation
Dickie Brothers Orchard - Roseland, Nelson County, Virginia 1100’ elevation

Fruit
77% Chambourcin, 23% 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 are foot tread and macerate up to seven days before being pressed off to demijohns for an uninoculated, native primary fermentation. As the wine finishes primary, several rankings are done to clarify the wine of its challenging fruit solids. Chambourcin was harvested in the third week of September and foot tread, whole cluster with a three 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 bottle traditional method. After resting on its lees for 6 months, bottles were hand disgorged in early September 2025.
No additions of SO2 were made at any stage of this wine.

Notes
We have enjoyed tinkering with the percentages of Damson in both this wine and the Dollop of Damson over the years. The Darker Shade of Damson has seen as little at 6% and in other years, up to 25%. 2025 showcases Damson in a much more forward way, allowing for vibrant, plump fruit on the nose. The smaller fruit size of this Damson cultivar tends to convey more aromatics and denser fleshiness. The whole cluster Chambourcin still lends stemmy spice and structure and the acid leans a little broader, saltier. We love putting a “red wine” in a totally different lense, allowing this wine to serve a totally different purpose for your imbibement.
Enjoy this wine chilled with a variety of pairings.

35 cases produced, 9.1% Alc. by Volume, 750ml