2016 began with another very early bloom, leading to a very early harvest; our first fruit arrived August 5. During maturation, summer temperatures were warm and steady, with fewer heat spikes than 2015. Three weeks of cool weather in August and September relaxed the pace of harvest, allowing for methodical picking decisions and perfectly developed fruit. Yields were relatively average – down from 2014 and up from 2015.

Spontaneous, native yeast and native malolactic fermentations

Our 2016 Template rested on its lees for 20 months in new French oak barrels (Taransaud) with bi-monthly bâtonnage to coat the tannins and smoothly integrate the wood. The wine was then lightly fined with egg whites and bottled without filtration in April 2018.