Limerick Lane – Snail Prize
HEALDSBURG
1023 Limerick Ln.
tel. (707) 433-9211
www.limericklanewines.com
info@limericklanewines.com
30 ac – 60,000 bt
‘‘Specializing in Zinfandel and Rhone varietals, Limerick Lane is setting an example through virtuous viticulture and by preserving century old vineyards, carving out terroir driven wines of great depth, complexity and drinkability’’
PEOPLE
Limerick Lane is owned by Jake Bilbro. His father, Chris begat Marrieta Wines, so it’s not odd that Jake knew what he was doing when he took over the derelict vineyard in 2011. Since then, Limerick Lane has experienced a fast renewal. They produce 5000 cases/yr and sell grapes to some of Sonoma’s finest wineries. In 2018, Chris Pittenger (Gros Ventre) joined the team as winemaker after some years at Skinner Vineyards.
VINEYARDS
In 2011, the new owners undertook to convert what had been a conventially farmed vineyard with poor soil health to organic practice though they haven’t sought certification. It was by these means that they have been able to restore health and higher yields to the mature head-trained vines. Jake Bilbro lives on the premises. The Goldridge soil contains a vein of obsidian, a remnant of a volcanic past.
WINES
The objective of Limerick Lane zinfandel is to feature the fruit of the estate in a fresh, refined way. The cherry and plum fruit is pure and lifted in the 1910 Block Zinfandel 2016 with an herbaceous and earthy nose. Though ripe, there is no jamminess to this wine. Tannins are well resolved and originate in the grapes not barrels or stems. The Estate Zinfandel 2016 is the entry level wine and shows fresh and dessicated fruit a little darker and denser than the 1910 Block but, like the first wine, it displays energy and earthiness. The Hail Mary Syrah 2016 (Great wine) shows spice (100% whole-cluster pressed) along with green olive and meat aromas. It has a palate of red cherry and blackberry with firm tannins.
FERTILIZERS compost
PLANT PROTECTION none
WEED CONTROL mowing
YEASTS commercial cultured yeasts, spontaneous fermentation
GRAPES 100% estate-grown
CERTIFICATION none