Albertina Wine Cellars
Tannins formed in mountain grapes are softer, producing more drinkable wines. Vines grown in thin (3 to 6 feet depth) mountain soils produce soft tannins and small berries for more intense flavors and color. The goal is to produce balanced vines which grow sufficient leaves and canes to support an adequate crop load. The target crop load is 3 tons per acre which can be attained through proper pruning, cluster thinning, trellising and soil nutrition techniques.
The high elevations of mountain vineyards lower both the daytime peak temperatures and also the night-time temperatures; the acid and sugar levels in the grapes is kept to an ideal level.
The Cabernet Sauvignon vines are planted in 8 foot wide rows running up and down the hillside. The vines are 5 feet apart. The Merlot vines are planted on terraces that are 10 feet wide. Those vines are planted 4 feet apart, as the soil has lower fertility. The Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc are also planted on terraces but are 5 feet apart. The rootstock on most of the vines is 110R but 101-14 is used in some of the more moderate fertility blocks. The Cabernet Sauvignon clones are 191 and 337.
