Description
Founder and owner John Balletto started this business after the untimely death of his father in 1977. At the age of 17, when the family needed him the most, he put their needs before his own and relinquished several college athletic scholarships offers so he could stay home and help his mother, Hazel, run the small five-acre farm. The Balletto family was determined to make the business a success, and throughout the 1980s and 1990s they purchased parcels of land to gradually increase vegetable production. One of those properties is where the Balletto Vineyards winery stands today. By 1994, the Balletto family had grown the business into the largest vegetable farm in Northern California, growing more than 70 different vegetables on more than 700 acres. Over two million cases of mixed vegetables moved through the premises per year during its peak. Balletto Vineyards was born as the family segued from farming vegetables to grapes in 2001.
The grapes—61% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay —were grown on Balletto’s estate Russian River Valley vineyards. The bunches were lightly whole-cluster pressed and fermented in both stainless steel (Pinot Noir) and old neutral oak (Chardonnay.) The Chardonnay was sent through malolactic fermentation for added depth and texture. Made in the traditional manner of completing an in-bottle secondary fermentation to create the bubbles, this wine was then left on the yeast for five years before it was disgorged. It’s amazing what happens to the flavors of a sparkling wine when it sits that long. The mid-palate texture builds, and the aromas shift to incorporate a yeasty sensation. The idea behind the brut rosé is to capture enough bottle and lees aging, while maintaining a touch of red fruit, a crisp focus and minerality. Dosage was kept low to balance the bubbles and highlight the rest. Delicate salmon hue with golden highlights. Inviting aromas of fresh apples and red summer berries. Light, frothy mousse, flavors of fresh strawberry, raspberry and orange blossom with a touch of sweet herbs. The finish is long and juicy, with a beautifully focused acid backbone and hint of fresh pastry.
