ASK THE GROWER
Ana Keller, owner of La Cruz Vineyard
If you have any questions you would like to ask one of our growers, please email them to wine@testarossa.com and we'll try to include them in future grower interviews!
How did you decide the location to plant/purchase your vineyard?
AK:. Serendipity! My father, Arturo, loved the views from that property and decided to establish his home here. He loved the fact that he was in the country and at the same time that he was only 45 minutes from San Francisco. He built a small road around the property to work on his cars and decided originally to plant a vineyard as landscaping! However, he has always been a man to research how to do things. Thus, we asked UC Davis for guidance and nature cooperated and we are today in one of the coolest viticultural areas!
How did you decide what varietal(s) and clone(s) to choose for your vineyard?
AK: The varietals we chose back in 1989 were under the advice from UC Davis. There was virtually no data available. At that time, it was considered that we might have a chance at growing Chardonnay for sparkling wine. We planted UC Davis Clone 4 in 1989 because it was the most tried clone for Chardonnay. When we planted our first blocks of Pinot Noir, we decided on Pommard because it was a solid backbone for our Pinot Noir. Our goal is to grow fruit that enables producers to really produce wines that reflect the terroir. For that reason, we have planted a variety of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones so that we can really extract from the land what it wants to say.
Do you practice organic, biodynamic, or sustainable farming practices? If so, why or why not?
AK: WE ARE SUSTAINABLE. We feel a great commitment to our land, to the environment and to our community. For us, being sustainable is part of who we are. We also feel that the sustainability program is wonderful, because it enables you to move constantly towards higher levels of sustainability, while focusing on your strengths and remembering that all aspects of our business are important.
What do you feel are the two biggest factors that affect the ultimate quality of your grapes (e.g. soil type/structure, climate, slope, plant material, viticultural practices, etc)?
AK: The two biggest factors…. Difficult questions. The two most important factors would be our soils and our viticulture practices. The soil is something that I thank mother nature for. The soils of the La Cruz Vineyard are multi-layered, mineral-ladened clays that were once San Pablo Bay sea beds. This mineral character comes through in all of the wines and is very much a part of La Cruz´s unique terroir. On the other hand the El Coro block has is defined by a thin loamy-clay with a volcanic subsoil. For us, this diversity in soil structure allows the fruit to express many different facets which in turn can create complex wines. The second most important factor would have to be our viticultural practices. In choosing the two factors, I settled upon one given by nature and one that as growers we can control. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our practices depending on the needs of each particular site. Some vines need a more rigorous canopy management, while some need a close eye on crop levels, and so on. In addition, some years need different approaches. Our vineyard manager has been a part of the La Cruz Vineyard team for 8 years. He has seen it all and speaks closely to the vines, reading in advance their needs.
How long have you and/or your family been in the wine/grape growing business?
AK: We planted our first vineyard in 1989. Next year, we will be proud to celebrate 20 years as growers.
From a growers perspective, what have been the easiest and hardest vintages the last 10 years and why?
AK: 2004 was a very difficult year for us because not only did harvest come in very early, but it was also a rushed harvest. We brought 90 percent of the fruit within 3 weeks. It required a lot of energy to keep up with nature. We always try to separate harvest as much as possible with our viticultural practices (mainly by delaying pruning in certain blocks in an effort to give the vines different ripening, however that year it was just madness. 2006 was the easiest. A gentleman´s harvest: the fruit came in paced, it ripened evenly. However, I have to say that all in all we have had many harvests that have difficulties at different times. Due to the fact that all our vineyards are on slopes and that we have the strong Petaluma Gap winds, we rarely have any frost, so we have never really been prepared for fros. Each year when the temperatures drop, we hold our breath and wish for wind.
What would you like to tell wine lovers/consumers that they probably don’t know about vineyards?
AK: The La Cruz Vineyard is becoming a very important vineyard within The Petaluma Gap. We have been able to show people that within the Sonoma Coast, we have a unique climate and soils that can produce wines that rival even the coolest areas.
