NewslettersPeriodically, Standing Stone provides newsletters
with helpful information about upcoming classes, articles on
winemaking and more!
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Standing Stone News to Share
There is a lot happening here at Standing Stone. Below are our
most recent press releases and announcements.
January 11, 2012
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2011 in review
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November 3, 2011 (started); January 10, 2012 (completed and posted).
What was that freight train!?! It was called harvest, and it hit with velocity and vigor. It is FINALLY over, and we are officially tired. All the writers in and outside of the industry may have been telling you that this was the year from H**L – and on one level, they are all very correct. BUT grapes have a will to be wine, and wine they will be, at least when grown where wine is obviously supposed to grow. We won’t bore you with all the technical details, although if you come to the winery, you can learn more.
2 months ago, when I started to write this, I could barely breath with all the work to do. Grapes to punch down (yes, Cabernet Sauvignon is always pushing the November limit for harvest!). Fermentations to monitor, which includes twice daily tasting and testings. Blends to begin to consider, especially with a scheduled bottling run in January! Customers coming through the door in herds. There wasn’t an “un-busy” front on the farm.
And now, all is quiet, at least that’s what we’ve been led to believe should happen. But it doesn’t. We are already thinking about pruning, we are still tasting and testing twice daily, and we are seeing more customers than we usually expect at this time of year.
2011 was a monumental year in many respects at Standing Stone Vineyards. We started the year with the decision to replace our HUGE billboard style sign, with something more artistic. Only a month later, we had some inspiration for that project, when a tractor trailer rolled over and flattened the sign. We hastily put up some parts of the old sign, and got to work on the new one. Several months later, we finally installed the work of art, and have had many nice compliments on our new sign.
We had been dragging our feet on building space, and suffering cramped quarters on all wine making, storage and vineyard fronts to avoid unnecessary expense. We finally decided the expense was necessary, and our new Morton building is up. Even though it is now the biggest building on the farm, many long term customers, suppliers and former employees don’t notice it until we point it out.
Oh – and what about grapes and wine? The year was a roller coaster for all in the Finger Lakes. Wet early, then intense heat and drought, then more wet, just when we did not want it – at harvest. But, grapes are tough, and we are tougher. We did everything we needed to do in the vineyard (not many days off this year), and we stayed on our toes through harvest. The resulting wines in both tanks and barrels are tasting like weather was not an issue.
How did we do it? Hard work, lots of thinking and planning, a willingness to change plans instantly, and LOTS of good help. Our vineyard crew was always paying attention – thanks Todd, Brad, Victor, Emilio and the H2A crew of Mexican workers. Wine work requires a willingness to get wet, keep tasting (oh darn!), clean everything twice, and keep tasting – thanks to Angel and Jess for all their work here. And the tasting room – what a team! Always smiling, always willing to help others learn, always willing to take folks on a tour, always willing to answer questions, and always willing to clean, clean, clean! Many thanks to Ann, Jim, Gary, Sandy, Shirley, Diane, April and Corey, and our “sometimes” helpers Nicole, Stefani, Denis, Jenn, Caz, Mark, Judy and probably a few more! We all hope to see you in 2012.
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10/4/11
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Harvest 2011 update
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Time flies! Our last news was about our new building, which was going up quickly. We didn’t even talk about the vineyards because we were just watching and waiting. And wines from the 2011 vintage were just a remote thought.
Just 2 months later, everything is changed. The building is done (well, almost – we are waiting for lights.) The vineyards have been through hell and back, almost literally. Intense high heat and dry conditions in late July and then late August threatened the vines themselves. Fortunately, we have irrigation available, and we used it. (For a video of water dripping – see our Facebook page). Then, the rains started. Hurricane Irene meant nothing to us as we only saw small showers as a result. So we breathed a sigh of relief – too soon! Since then, it feels like the rain has not stopped. Either rain, light showers, excessive dampness, some kind of wetness has been with us almost constantly for the last 3 weeks.
Rain in September is not normally a huge problem, other than dampening our pre-harvest excitement. The grapes weather the storms, the rains stop, and October happens. October – the month of sunshine and warmth. October – the month of beautiful fall colors and crisp clean air. October – the month of HARVEST.
Public perception has a funny way of altering reality. Question after question from customers have focused on the terrible weather this year. “What is it doing to the grapes? How can the wines be good?” we hear, over and over. Yes, the weather is horrid, BUT – grapes seem to have a very strong urge to be wine, and seem to somehow turn themselves around and ripen as needed.
So, the results thus far? Pinot Noir numbers at 21 – 22 Brix, very respectable. pH 3.38 and TA 7.04. That all means a wine that will work – chemically speaking. All the parts are there, and with minor tweaking we will have a very drinkable wine. The most important harvest perameter however, is flavor. We have no options to substitute for that, and fortunately, we don’t have to. Ripe strawberry flavors, texture showing some of the earthy beet and leather that we like, and aromatic beyond belief. As we enter the warehouse to do punch downs, the aromas overwhelm us, filling the room, and making us happy! And Chardonnay – PERFECT! 22 Brix, TA 7.12, and ph 3.34. No need for any additions, just let the wine make itself! Flavors of melon, banana, some bright citrus overtones and vanilla notes showing up even before we think about barrels. Perfect!
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8/17/11
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New building in the works
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How fast can a building go up? Amazingly fast. On Monday, July 25, our blank ground was too sloped. So in came the excavators (yes, plural) and moved the dirt around - lots of it. When they were done, we had a nice, smooth, flat building pad site. Then, lots of stone came in, then back to the big machines moving stone around, and on the third day they rested! The next day, the BIG drill showed up, and made some holes for posts. After that, it was a blur. Posts went in, framing went up, chains adjusted framing, walls went up – whew! When they first told us we would have a building in 10 days, I laughed. Now, I'm a believer.
Why do we need a new building? First, to take advantage of a government grant for agriculture mixing facilities, to instill safer practices with our vineyard spray program. Next, 5 tractors will now live inside - which means they will live much longer. Equipment storage: you may never have noticed how many pieces and parts are stored out in the field north of the parking lot, but those will all now be dry and comfortable inside. Last - wine storage. Instead of trucking wine to another storage facility and then trucking it back here when we need it, we can keep it here.
You may recognize the logo on the building, the “M” stands for Morton (not Macinski?!), and represents a high quality, well thought out, American product.
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5/3/11
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Spring has (finally) sprung
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Although winter did not seem to want to let go, spring finally took over! Bright green colors are popping up and out everywhere, and that means Tom is no longer sleeping well. In addition to the normal vineyard work, which seems to be neverending, we have about 3,000 vines to plant. Most of those are to fill in holes and keep the vineyards as filled in as possible. So now that we want to get into the vineyards with tractors - "rain,rain, go away". That's our chant, but it is not working. Next time you are at the winery, ask to see all the vines waiting to be planted!
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04/12/11
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LOTS of bottling!
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We needed wine - new vintages, cleaning out tanks, just clearing out space in barrels. So we did the biggest bottling run EVER for Standing Stone Vineyards - almost 4,000 cases! What a production that was. 12 hour days, lots of hoses everywhere, and trucks filling the parking lot to hold the empty bottles and the finished wine that we store elsewhere. All is done, and we are proud to report no major calamities, and lots of good wines in the bottles. We will soon release the 2010 Riesling. Last weekend the newly bottled 2010 Semi Dry Vidal was the big seller, and we have changed vintages on the Vidal Ice and Chardonnay Ice. Come on in and try some new wines. We hope to see you soon.
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01/19/11
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Winter and frozen grapes
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We are having a busy winter at Standing Stone Vineyards. Although many of you seem to think that we don’t have much to do in the winter around here, as a result of our 3 90 plus ratings for Vidal Ice, Riesling Ice and Gewurztraminer Ice, we HAVE to make LOTS more! So we have a big truck in the parking lot, running the freezer to keep the frozen grapes cold. We load the press every day or two, and then wait, and wait, and wait, while the frozen grapes gradually release the nectar of the gods. Then we dump out the press, take the grapes (less their juice) to the compost pile, and reload the press. We will do this for the next month or so, and then we start making the wine.
It is labor intensive, but well worth the results. When you visit, ask for a tour to look at our very fancy grape slide – that’s how we move the grapes from the bins into the press without lifting. And taste a drop or two of the VERY sweet juice – and imagine the wine that will be released this summer.
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01/12/2011
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The kudos keep coming!
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We are learning (slowly) how to tweet and have a presence on Facebook. In fact I was at a meeting to learn more, when I got a bonus. “Congrats on the wine of the day, Marti”. I decided that I couldn’t fake it, and simply said “What?” To my delight, I learned that the Wine Spectator chose the 2009 Chardonnay as the under $15 daily wine pick on January. Most important for you to know, is that this wine is ON SALE in the tasting room (or online) for the amazing price of $9.99 per bottle, or $84 per case. You can’t beat that!
And there’s more – Lenn Thompson’s NY Cork Report, a terrific blog covering all wines New York recognized the Standing Stone Vineyards Riesling Ice 2008 as the best Finger Lakes Dessert Wine for 2010. One again, not only do we not raise the price after such recognition, but we offer extra special discounts. If you buy 4 bottles of the Riesling Ice, or any combination of 4 bottles of our Ice products, you will get a 20% discount! How fun is that?!
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December 15, 2010
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Holiday Wine Sale
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Holiday Wine Sale
Let us help you with your holiday shopping and entertaining. Come in this weekend to take advantage of special holiday wine discounts. This weekend only, we are running a 25% discount on many of our library wines, including past vintages of Callioux, Pinot Noir, and Pinnacle. We're also running our 20% quantity discount on our Ice style wine - purchase any 4 bottles and recieve 20% off! You may order by phone, email, or in person. Call us with any questions!
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December 15, 2010
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Visit our Tasting Room!
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Holiday Wine Sale
Let us help you with your holiday shopping and entertaining. Come in this weekend to take advantage of special holiday wine discounts. This weekend only, we are running a 25% discount on many of our library wines, including past vintages of Callioux, Pinot Noir, and Pinnacle. We're also running our 20% quantity discount on our Ice style wine - purchase any 4 bottles and recieve 20% off! You may order by phone, email, or in person. Call us with any questions!
Standing Stone Vineyards Tasting Room
Take advantage of the low foot traffic winter days and come see us in the Tasting Room. No lines and plenty of attention from our knowledgeable and friendly staff! The perfect time to get away from all the bustle of the holiday season and unwind with a wine tasting.
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December 15, 2010
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Facebook and Twitter!
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Now you find us on facebook and twitter!
www.facebook.com/standingstonewines
www.twitter.com/ssvny
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November, 2010
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Wine Spectator Best Value!
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Wine Spectator
More Wine Spectator Accolades for Standing Stone! The October 15th edition of Wine Spectator (page 48) lists Standing Stone Riesling 2009 in its Global Values Wish List. We are the only Finger Lakes wine included in this impressive selection of international wines. You may also view it online at www.winespectator.com/magazine/show/id/43512
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November, 2010
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Become a Cornerstone!
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Become a Cornerstone!
Love our wines? Want to be able to purchase more wine for less money? Want to receive special invitations and free tastings? Want first notification on releases of special library and reserve wines? Join one or more of our Loyalty Clubs: Case Club, Wine Club, and Barrel Owners! For more information, please call or email us, visit our website at www.standingstonewines.com/about/club.asp, or stop into the Tasting Room. We'd love for you to join today!
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October, 2010
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Wine Spectator Scores!
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Vidal Ice did it - not again, but better than ever! We were all getting tired of hearing Marti complain about being in a rut - "four 90s for the Vidal Ice, I wish we could top that by at least a point!" And here we are - the September 30 issue of the Wine Spectator will list the Vidal Ice 2008 as a 92 point scoring wine! And the best news for you? NO PRICE INCREASE! We are being mindful of the economy, and VERY appreciative of your continued support for our wines, so we will hold the line and keep the price right where it is - an affordable $24.99. AND THAT'S NOT ALL. Yes another 90 plus score for Standing Stone Vineyards with a 91 for the Gewurztraminer Ice, to go along with the 91 score for the Riesling Ice, and there's more . . .
Chardonnay Ice 2007: 89, Pinnacle 2007: 87, Pinnacle 2006: 86, Cabernet Franc 2008: 84, Gewurztraminer 2007: 84, Pinot Noir 2007: 84, Dry Vidal 2007: 83.
This is the highest score yet for a Standing Stone wine from the Wine Spectator. In fact, with these new scores, we hold just over 10% of the 90 plus scores for New York wines in the Wine Spectator! Scores are certainly not everything, but these kudos are always welcome and are a nice pat on the back for the hard work we put into the vines and wines here at Standing Stone. Feel free to stop by and try all of our high scoring wines today!
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10/24/09
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Vidal Ice 2008 wins GOLD!
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So, we were packing up the wines for the Wine & Food Classic, and filling in the entry forms. We got the call saying they could not find the 20007 Vidal Ice that we entered (I KNOW I put it in the box - oh well!) We had just run out, BUT we had also just bottled the 2008 Vidal Ice. Now, we normally don't like to enter wines in a competition 2 weeks after bottling, but we had already written the check, so we made the switch and sent in the 2008. Well, we're not sure what would have happened if it had been in the bottle longer, but even at this young stage, it was awarded a GOLD MEDAL! So, come on in and taste this new wine - it is selling fast!
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