Wirz

Pat Wirz's father planted these own-rooted, dry-farmed, head-trained Riesling vines in 1964. The mineral magic of the Cienega Valley derives from a rare combination of granitic and calcareous layers- nutrient-poor, though deep and friable, allowing these low-yielding, organically farmed vines to penetrate deeply in search of sustenance. A very long growing season, and significant humidity, courtesy of a small creek which bisects the property, aid in the reliable development of botrytis, the final element in an alchemical transformation from sky and earth to dry, rocky, liquid gold.

A wide angle view in Spring of a rusty yellow crawler tractor in the foreground, with green grasses and yellow mustard-dotted Riesling bush vines planted in 1964 on their own roots at Wirz in the Cienega Valley in the middle distance, and rolling ge

A wide angle view in Spring of a rusty yellow crawler tractor in the foreground, with green grasses and yellow mustard-dotted Riesling bush vines planted in 1964 on their own roots at Wirz in the Cienega Valley in the middle distance, and rolling gentle green grassy hillside dotted with Live Oaks and blue sky and clouds visible at the horizon.

Pink and maroon hoody sweatshirt-wearing pickers bending down to pick fog-shrouded Riesling at Wirz, with the outline of the Gablian Mountains only just starting to become visible as morning fog burns off.

Pink and maroon hoody sweatshirt-wearing pickers bending down to pick fog-shrouded Riesling at Wirz, with the outline of the Gablian Mountains only just starting to become visible as morning fog burns off.