Signano Estate
San Gimignano rises on a hill 384 mt high and dominates the Elsa valley with the skyline of its 13 towers. The Manhattan like sky scrapers were built between the 12 and the 13th century. Not unlike today, the towers were a symbol of the economic powers of the noble families of that region.The Vernaccia vine has been growing in the charming hillsides which surround this middle-age town since 1200 ad. This is the vine for the production of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which for centuries has tempted popes, honored magnificent feasts of the renaissance princes, and has won a growing fame over time.
Because of Vernaccia di San Gimignano’s ancient tradition and unquestionable quality, the wine was the first to be awarded DOC recognition in 1966. Since 1993 the Vernaccia di San Gimignano has entered into the category of DOCG recognition. The Signano Estate began its activity in 1961, when the Biagini Family purchased a small plot of land of 4.5 Ha. in Signano. Prior to the planting of his first vineyard in Vernaccia, Ascanio earned a reputation as bailiff to a land-owner from Florence where he maintained a broad reputation for his knowledge of the vineyards and wines of the region. The first cellar was built in 1966 and the lands adjacent to it were purchased in the following years for vineyards.
The leased vineyards and olive groves create the present Estate that covers approximately 30 Ha. Most of the Estate is cultivated with Vernaccia, but 3 Ha. are dedicated to the production of Vin Santo (dessert wine) and 6 additional Ha. are used for the production of extra virgin olive oil. Today, the cellar has a capacity of 205,000 litres with an additional ninetyfive 100 litre oak casks for the maturation of Vin Santo.
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Pike Road Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
Tasting Notes
Rich and complex, black cherry, confectionary strawberry and dusty rose waft up from the glass. An expressive palate follows with juicy black cherry and pomegranate alongside notes of tropical mango and coconut in a slightly gamey, smoky finish.
About Shea Vineyard
Shea Vineyard sits in the heart of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and is farmed by our friends Dick & Deirdre Shea. This is arguably the most famous vineyard for Oregon Pinot Noir because of the many well-known wineries that make a Single Vineyard Shea wine, including our sister brand Elk Cove Vineyards and neighbors Ken Wright, Bergstrom, Penner-Ash and others. It's worth checking out the Shea Vineyard website to learn more about this unique vineyard. Wines from Shea vineyard are earthy with a black cherry kick
Review:
This balanced wine has one of my favorite aromas of all time—the caramel and brioche-like cookie scents of a Stroopwafel cookie. These divine scents are joined by red cherries and chalkboard dust. Raspberry, dark chocolate and espresso flavors are supported by velvety tannins and slightly elevated acidity
- Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
Dark ruby color. Aromas of cherry, currant, vanilla bean and hint of tar. Full-bodied, with flavors of cherries, cocoa powder and oak. A touch of sweetness on entry with a little bit of air with soft tannins that are starting to integrate well.
The latest step in the project is Vinsacro (formerly Valsacro) Dioro. The earlier Valsacros were made from a field selection of the older vineyards. Now, thanks to the new facility Amador has been able to build an upmarket version of Vinsacro (formerly Valsacro) with a four-stage selection process that includes an initial field selection of the fruit followed by a second table selection as the grapes come into the winery. After fermentation wine from selected tanks is transferred to new French oak barrels for 12-14 months of barrel age. Finally, the best barrels are set aside for Dioro and the remainder used to "upgrade" the normal Vinsacro.
Vinsacro Dioro is a blend of grapes from 100+ year old "vidau" vineyards where many varieties were planted together in the same plot.
Today the grapes are harvested and vinified separately. The final blend depends on the vintage but typically it's Tempranillo (50%), Garnacha (20%) and remaining 30% is a mix of mainly Graciano (10%) & Mazuelo (10%) with a little of Monastrell (5%) & Bobal (5%).