Menu Close
  • Account Login
  • Cart
  • Visit
  • Vineyards
  • Wines
  • The Martinelli Family Story
  • Winemaking
  • Join
  • Acquire
Martinelli Winery

3360 River Road, Windsor, CA
(800) 346-1627
Email Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Vineyards
  • The Martinelli Family Story
  • Winemaking
  • Wines
  • Acquire
  • Visit
  • Join
  • Events
  • Gallery
  • Media and Trade
  • Members
  • Cart/Checkout
  • Contact

Chico’s Hill Syrah 2018

2017 Vintage

94+ points – Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate

95 points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

VINEYARD
Chico's Hill
VINTAGE
2018
ABOUT THIS WINE

Chico’s Hill is a one acre vineyard on an easterly facing slope. It has a great soil profile which is predominantly fractured rock. Fractured rock makes for great growing conditions because the rock warms the earth by the early morning sun, stimulating vine growth, and in addition, rain water penetrates the soil depth easily and drains off. The landscape is long and narrow with a 45 degree slope, and was where Julianna Martinelli’s horse, Chico, was stabled when she was a child. The rows are oriented in a north-south direction to equalize sunlight exposure on both sides of the canopy morning and afternoon. For vine training we installed a vertical trellis system with fruit wire sitting 22 inches above ground level, encouraging consistent ripening of the grape clusters.  The vineyard consists solely of clone 877.

Growing Year Info

The 2018 season was much calmer than 2017, due to the absence of extra rain and heat spikes we experienced in 2017. The moderate temperatures in the spring and summer allowed for a longer growing season and full flavor development. There was plenty of water in the soil to carry the clusters through the long growing season with minimal dehydration. Our first day of harvest in 2018 was September 10, compared with an August 26 start in 2017. It was nice that the production crew could enjoy the Labor Day holiday right before the long hours and hard work of harvest began.

VINEYARD DETAILS
APPELLATION
Russian River Valley
VARIETALS PLANTED
Syrah
SOIL INFORMATION
Franciscan
SOIL CHARACTERISTICS
Clay Loam
ROOTSTOCK
420
BUDWOOD
877
YEAR PLANTED
2001
Tasting Notes

As the bouquet opens up, aromas of boysenberry, violets and coffee come to life. Elegant yet present tannins fill the mouth with flavors of black currants and black plum. These textures and flavors are present in the succulent, long finish.

Winemaker
Courtney Wagoner
Consulting Winemaker
Erin Green
Cases Produced
41

Visit

Tasting Experiences

Join

Member Access

Acquire

Purchase Online

  • Visit
  • Vineyards
  • Wines
  • The Martinelli Family Story
  • Winemaking
  • Join
  • Acquire
  • Events
  • Gallery
  • Media and Trade
  • Members
  • Cart/Checkout
  • ADA Statement
  • Contact
Martinelli Winery

3360 River Road, Windsor, CA
(800) 346-1627
Email Us

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • [email protected]
  • Search
Policies Shipping Info
© 2022 Credits