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| Two Santa Barbara County vineyards -- the Nielson Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley and the Stolpman Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley - provide the fruit for Io. Cultivation of Rhône-style varietals in the Nielson Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley began in 1991 when five acres of 20-year-old Gamay vines were grafted over to three acres of Syrah, one acre of Mourvèdre and one acre of Grenache. In the cooler temperatures of the Santa Maria Valley, fruit from the Byron Vineyard tends to be regal and firmly structured with rich purple fruit components. Approximately 70% of the Io blend originates from the Byron Vineyard. In 1998, an additional nine acres of Syrah were planted in the Nielson Vineyard in Io's first clonal trial. Selections from Australia and France were planted on phylloxera-resistant rootstock in a high-density format with vertical trellising. In addition, three acres of Cabernet Franc were grafted to Grenache. Results from the clonal trials planted in 1998 will guide Io in future plantings of Rhône varietals on the Nielson Vineyard, including a hillside development planned for 2000. Approximately 15 acres will be planted to the latest ENTAV Syrah clones from France, as well as Grenache and Grenache Noir. In 2001, plans call for another five acres to be planted to Syrah and Mourvèdre. Situated just south of the Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley offers a slightly warmer climate. As a result, Syrah grown in the Stolpman Vineyard contributes a softer tannin structure and mature red fruit flavors to the Io blend. Planted in 1994, the Stolpman Vineyard is already being heralded as one of the region's first rate Syrah vineyards and has been used by some of California's finest Rhône-style producers. Starting in 1996, Io contracted four specific acres of the vineyard that include the Estrella and Durell selections of Syrah. In 1999, another five acres of Syrah designated for Io were planted. |
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| Looking to the Future Io will have an additional resource from a new vineyard planted in 1998. Four acres of Syrah in the White Hawk Vineyard, located in the Los Alamos growing region, have been earmarked for Io and will begin bearing fruit in three to four years. |
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| Io > Inside Io > Vineyards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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