The Vineyards

Sky Saddle Wines are made from grapes grown by small family farmers in Napa and Sonoma counties. Each vineyard is certified organic by independent agencies and some are farmed according to Demeter certified biodynamic standards.

We create wines of distinction by allowing the vineyard site to tell the story; through soil, sun, and water the grapes capture the regional character and express a true authenticity. Many of the vineyards use cover crops to enrich the soil and multiply beneficial insects. Dry farmed biodynamic vineyards have superior soil due to the application of biodynamic preparations thus, the roots are able to penetrate deep below the surface. This allows for greater absorption of nutrients and water and obviously leads to a healthier plant. And healthy plants with the right conditions produce exceptional fruit. It all starts in the vineyards.

2008 Harvest

The 2008 harvest is complete and the wines are resting in barrel in the caves. Some have already completed malolactic fermentation and are showing personality. What they all have in common is certified organic greenness, which we help translate into deliciousness. While each vintage is different, the wines have a likeness, and on a cold winter’s day the biodynamic zing shakes your palate.

The vintage was excellent for some,( Chard and Pinot from Russian River), and devastating for others. Those of you in wine country know about the pervasive frosts in April that killed the blooms on many vineyards. Our chardonnay yield from the Harms vineyard was down by 30%. Some growers lost more than half their crop. Others had vines that re-set and produced smaller yields. Such are the perils of farming.

That being said, lower yield generally means tastier juice. Some winemakers claim the sparse crop to be of superior quality. I’m not complaining. I’ve seen only quality. The 2008 Harm’s Chardonnay is outstanding and makes 3 excellent vintages in a row. I made it the same way, using the same techniques and I am very pleased with the outcome. The wine continues to develop in barrel with weekly batonnage ( lees stirring) and I will leave it on the lees for 12 months to gain character and complexity.

The 2008 Sangiovese is also very similar to previous years, perhaps more structured but still fruity and spicy. After tasting many Italian wines, I have come to appreciate this varietal more, especially with food.

We are pleased to announce the addition of Morrison Vineyards, a 10 acre merlot vineyard in the Sonoma Valley. This is a beautiful vineyard at the base of Sugarloaf planted with 4 different selections of Merlot. The wine has classic merlot flavors and I put some new French oak on it. This will likely be a 24 month program; the wine will need that long to develop.

If you would like to order our wines please contact us directly,

or use this order form (pdf).

Tel: 707-483-6645

Email: skysaddle@earthlink.net for info

mateowilson@earthlink.net for winemaker