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Winemaking Philosophy

Starting with top-quality fruit from Heritage Vineyards, the winemaking philosophy is relatively simple – make the best wines possible! White wine grapes are harvested at optimum ripeness & whole-cluster pressed. The juice is fermented with selected yeast strains at cool temperatures to capture & enhance fresh fruit aromas & flavors. Wines are aged, typically 4-8 months, in stainless steel vessels or oak barrels to produce different styles. In special cases, the more risky & time-consuming technique of barrel fermentation is applied to generate a vintner’s select or reserve cuvée.

For Heritage red wines, the goal is maximum capture & development of color & flavor. After harvesting at optimum ripeness, red grape clusters are de-stemmed and the grapes hand-sorted to remove any material not worthy of fermentation. The grapes are gently crushed & sent to a stainless steel fermentation vessel where a small portion of juice is removed (a process called saignée or bleeding) to provide raw material for delicious Rosé wines while allowing for greater extraction of color and flavor in the primary red wines. Fermentation temperatures peak early at controlled levels to capture rich fruit flavors. Extended macerations (juice & skin contact) follow to extract optimum color, flavor & tannin profiles. Red wines are separated from their skins to give both free-run & press fractions which are kept separate. Wines are aged in premium oak barrels, a mix of American & French, for 12-18 months. Judicious tastings & experience are used to determine various options for blending & ageing to enhance the wines before bottling.

Viticulture at Heritage is based on meticulous vineyard management, the use of earth friendly farming practices & a commitment to late harvesting fully ripe grapes. The winemaking approach involves an optimal blend of traditional techniques & modern technology to produce the best wines possible. Talent, passion & commitment are the keys, and the reward is the pleasure our customers find in the fine wines of Heritage Vineyards & Winery.

Please call
Heritage Vineyards at
856-589-4474 for
wine tour and barrel room tasting information.