2022 Pinot Gris
Tasting Notes: Our winemaker Vinny went a different route with this vintage of Pinot Gris, finding inspiration in the richly fruited and textured wines traditionally produced in Alsace. The warm 2022 vintage provided ripe fruit with a backbone of bracing acidity, good raw material for making a full-bodied Pinot Gris. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred with its lees into neutral French oak barrels, where it aged for 6 months. The bottled wine still highlights the ripe tree fruit and citrus commonly associated with the varietal while layering warm baking spice and savory herbs within its rich and supple palate.
Serving Suggestion: Best served chilled from 42° - 46° F
Vineyards: 100% Sawmill Creek Vineyards
Blend: 100% Pinot Gris
Technical Information:
pH 3.4 RS 0.16%
TA 7.2 g/l ABV 12.4%
Cases Produced 114
Pinot Gris
Planted 1982 and 2008
Lansing soil, gravel silt loam, 8%-15% slope
'Own Rooted'
Atwater Vineyards in Burdett, NY is located along the southeast corner of Seneca Lake, in a stretch of sloping vineyards many refer to as the "banana belt" of the Finger Lakes. We thank Chris, Mike and Wes for their dedication and passion!
Vinny Aliperti started his wine journey making wine as a teenager with his relatives, never considering it would one day become his profession. After graduating college with a liberal arts degree and a stint in the Peace Corps, an opportunity to pursue commercial winemaking on his native Long Island was presented and he never looked back. From 1997 through 1999, Vinny apprenticed under winemaker Roman Roth at Wolffer Estate, producing mostly Chardonnay and Merlot at its state-of -the -art facility.
In early 2000, Vinny moved his family to the Finger Lakes to work at the legendary Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, where he was first exposed to Riesling production. In 2001, Vinny joined the startup Atwater Estate Vineyards, where he continues today heading up winemaking operations for over 15 varieties. Its 8000 case facility produces estate grown wines, including multiple Rieslings, Gewurztraminer, Blaufränkisch and Cabernet Franc.
With Atwater's blessing, Vinny and his wife, Kim, started their own label, Billsboro Winery, in Geneva, NY in 2007. Sourcing grapes from Sawmill Creek Vineyards on Seneca Lake, Billsboro specializes in producing small lots dry vinifera wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Syrah, and Pinot Noir.
