2011 Zocker Grüner Veltliner
The fruit for the Zocker Grüner Veltliner was grown in the Niven family’s estate Paragon Vineyard in the Edna Valley on California’s Central Coast. Soils are generally made up of Diablo series, clay loam, rocky marine sediment, and volcanic remnants. In a few portions of the vineyard however, clay loam is more prominent, which allows for more water retention. This, along with the influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean and the extended growing season, makes the terroir here similar to areas in Austria where Grüner Veltliner reigns as the number one white varietal in the country.
Finished Wine
Rich and round but with great acid structure, this wine is steely and has good minerality. It has a bit of an earthy characteristic, a note of white pepper, and flavors of ripe melon and fruit cocktail.
Vineyard
AVA – Edna Valley, California, USA
Vineyard – Paragon Vineyard
Vineyard Certification – SIP Certified Sustainable
Climate – Cool, Extended Growing Season, Pacific Ocean Influence
Soils - Diablo series, clay loam, rocky marine sediment, & volcanic remnants
Block – 168 and 301
Acres – 12.32
Clone – Field Selection
Rootstock – 101-14
Spacing – 10x5
Trellis – VSP
Rows – 97
Vines – 10,146 plants in total
Tons per acre – 3.25
Harvested – September 23 - 29, 2011
Average Brix – 23.5
Winemaking
Winemaker – Christian Roguenant
Fermentation – Stainless steel @ 55°F for 24 days
Yeast – X5
Bottled – February 24, 2012
Closure – Screwcap
ML – 0%
Alcohol – 13.5%
pH – 2.95
TA – 6.3 g/L
Produced – 2717 cases
Suggested Retail - $20.00 ORDER
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ZOCKER PRESS
91points – Wine Review Online – Robert Whitley – November 16, 2011
Zocker 2010 Grüner Veltliner, Paragon Vineyard, Edna Valley — Winemaker Christian Roguenant is a native of Burgundy and well regarded for his work in California with pinot noir and chardonnay. Less well known are his accomplishments with crisp white wines such as albarino and this grüner veltliner. Grüner, a steely white grape more typically seen in Austria, is relatively new to California viticulture. Zocker's is planted in the cool Edna Valley, near San Luis Obispo on California's Central Coast, within spitting distance of the Pacific Ocean. It is bone dry and minerally, with firm acidity and subtle hints of citrus fruits and tart apples.
Chicago Tribune– November 16, 2011
2010 Zocker Grüner Veltliner Edna Valley, California: A wow of a wine; scents of celery and melon end with tangy acidity, a smack of white pepper and a hint of chalk. Terrific — and as American as punk'in pie.
Great Wines for Hard Times – Whitley On Wine – October 9, 2011
2010 Zocker Paragon Vineyard Grüner Veltliner from California's Edna Valley is the finest domestic Grüner I've yet tasted. This brilliant wine from the Burgundy-born winemaking genius Christian Roguenant runs about $18. Grüner Veltliner from its native Austria is all the rage at wine bars across America, but domestic Grüner is fairly new and not very well known. There is a small amount of Grüner planted in New York, a bit more in California and a miniscule amount in Oregon. Zocker is the only one that could pass from an Austrian Grüner, with its steely structure and attractive minerality.
Zocker 2009 Paragon Vineyard Grüner Veltliner (Edna Valley) $20
A beautiful wine with a spine of steel and trenchant acidity that demands savory, spicy foods. It’s brilliantly ripe in mineral-infused Meyer lemon and spicy green melon, and while it’s technically dry, has a rich, honeyed sweetness. Entirely unoaked. — S.H.
Zocker 2009 Grüner Veltliner, Paragon Vineyard, Edna Valley $20
Spritzy and bright with citrus and mineral notes plus a lush, balanced texture; wow, a California Grüner with great style and charm – and sustainably grown to boot. Bravo!
91 points – Wine Review Online – Michael Franz – November 1, 2010
Gambling on Grüner
Zocker Winery, Edna Valley (California) Grüner Veltliner 2009 : This is an important wine. Aside from being distinctive and delicious, it is also an object lesson in the importance of California vintners experimenting with relatively untried varieties from the Old World. This hasn’t been done anywhere near enough during the past few decades, whether because of complacency or concern that nothing but the Usual Suspects like Chardonnay and Cabernet can be sold reliably. In any case, this Grüner shows true varietal character in the form of tasty fruit recalling white melons and peaches with a fresh citrus edge. There’s a suggestion of ripeness in the midpalate, but the acidity is so energetic that the wine really could pass for an Austrian, and its vibrancy and freshness should make it a prized object in a state that rarely produces edgy whites from any grape other than Sauvignon Blanc. Congratulations--on grounds of foresight--to all who were involved.
2009 Zocker Paragon Vineyard Edna Valley Grüner Veltliner ($20):
Grüner has mostly been one of those noble experiments in these parts, notable more for the effort than the results. But Zocker, a sister label to Tangent, has succeeded with one that can rival its Austrian counterparts. Proper notes of white pepper, peach and snap pea, with a slight soapstone edge. Is Grüner the great hope of Edna Valley?
2009 Zocker Paragon Vineyard Grüner Veltliner (Edna Valley, $20):
Full-bodied, with white peach flavors and tangerine zest on the finish.