Lingua Franca Mimi's Mind Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 2022

July was calm and moderate with little rain. Thankfully, the frost had little effect on Pinot Noir, which has a later start, and less exposure. Bloom came the first week of July, and veraison began on Labour Day weekend, finishing a week later. Picking was expedited due to rain pressure, with Pinot harvest starting at the end of the first week of October and ending on October 20th.

Mimi Casteel's vineyard has been a role model for regenerative farming, with thoughtful vineyard practices to improve the environment around and beyond her farm. We name this cuvée in her honor. Though she has soldher vineyard, she has authorized us to continue this homage to her. The 2022 Mimi's Mind is the first to come from Lingua Franca Estate. In 2022 the source was Block 11, planted to Pinot Noir 115.

The fruit is hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard, then again manually on the crush pad. A sorter then destems the clusters and selects only whole berries for the fermenters. Fermentation proceeds with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks. Cap management begins with gentle pump overs, followed by traditional pigeage. After fermentation, the wines aged in 24% new and 76% neutral French oak barriques for 12 months followed by an additional 5 months in stainless steel.