Description
Growing up in California, Markus Bokisch spent every summer in Catalonia, Spain where his mother was born. Like all Spanish children, he enjoyed wine with water at family meals. As the wine to water ratio increased over the years, Markus would come to realize that those summers in Spain eventually informed his life's work. His first step in the world of wine was the Viticulture program at U.C. Davis, followed by a position as viticulturist with Joseph Phelps Winery in Napa Valley. Finding he missed Spain, Markus and his wife Liz moved there in 1992. Back in Catalonia, Markus worked with grapes like Albariño and Graciano, and a little idea started to percolate in his mind. When he and Liz eventually returned to California, they knew their next step was to plant a vineyard. Markus had a hunch that Lodi, with its volcanic soils and diverse microclimates, would be the ideal place to start his new California-Iberian adventure. They planted their first Terra Alta vineyard in 1995 and in 1999, they planted the Las Cerezas vineyard to Tempranillo, Albariño and Graciano. 2001 marked the year Markus' little idea came to fruition when he released the first vintages of his Spanish varietal wines. Bokisch was a true pioneer in highlighting Iberian varietals in California, and has gone on to become one of Lodi's leading producers today.
A blend of 68% Garnacha and 42% Graciano, aged 5 months in 100% neutral French oak. Sourced from Terra Alta Vineyard—the beautiful home of the winery facility—nestled in the toe of the Sierra Foothills, in the Clements Hills AVA, featuring 80 acres of certified organic plantings of Albariño, Garnacha, and Graciano. Markus planted this parcel in 1996 because its climate and soil were almost identical to the vineyards he farmed in the Vaca Mountains of Napa Valley. This delicious rosé has inviting aromas of ripe, red summer fruits. The palate bursts with delicious flavors of wild strawberry, rhubarb, guava and citrus zest. The finish is long and fruited with a touch of toasted vanilla bean.
