2025 Gamay Noir

Tasting Notes

The 2025 vintage is the first year producing Gamay from our Estate!

Bright and expressive, the 2025 Estate Gamay opens with aromas of fresh raspberry, wild strawberry, red cherry, and violet, accented by subtle notes of cranberry, rose petal, and baking spice. The palate is light to medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, fine-grained tannins, and an energetic core of juicy red fruit. A delicate earthy character add complexity, leading to a fresh, lifted finish.

Serve slightly chilled to highlight its aromatic character and refreshing finish. It is a versatile pairing for roasted poultry, grilled salmon, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, and herb-driven Mediterranean cuisine.

Vineyard Notes

The fruit for this wine was grown in Lava Cap’s estate vineyard in the El Dorado AVA. Situated at approximately 2,700 feet in elevation, the vineyard’s volcanic soils, warm mountain days, and cool Sierra Foothills nights encourage even ripening while preserving Gamay’s natural freshness and aromatic intensity. The rocky, well-drained site naturally moderates vine vigor and produces fruit with concentrated flavor, lively acidity, and a distinctive mountain-grown character.

Winemaker Notes

Fermented in small open tops, and aged in 500L puncheons, 15% new for 9 months. Winemaking focused on preserving the variety’s vivid fruit character and naturally supple structure rather than extracting excessive weight or tannin. The resulting wine is lively and approachable in its youth, with enough savory complexity and acidity to develop additional nuance with short-term aging.