
Stolpman La Cuadrilla 2020
When Tom Stolpman purchased the land that is now Stolpman Vineyards, he declared that if his dream of owning a vineyard was to come true, it would not be on the backs of people being taken advantage of. He asked vineyard manager Ruben Solorzano to employ our vineyard workers year-round, so the team members could have a steady job, a career, and raise their families with security. A man of action, Ruben started a training program in which he gave one Cuadra – a small vineyard block – to his team so they would take responsibility for their land. Each crew member became the farmer rather than just the worker. The profits are returned to the crew members in the form of a year-end bonus. The 2019 label honors the founder of Cuadrilla, Ruben Solorzano. Ruben is envisioned as one of the Red Tailed Hawks that glide in the wind above the vineyard every afternoon. He oversees the crew and the vines with an all-knowing presence. The Hawk is emblazoned with picking sheers, a symbol for only touching the vines by hand rather than by machine – as well as moons in different phases, as they work the ground and the vines based on variances in lunar gravity. 2020 Stolpman La Cuadrilla opens with a whole new world of red fruit from crunchy, tangy cranberry through to pure driving ripeness. A cut of lemon from the balancing acidity combines with mint leaves, chocolate, and peppercorns. Tannin lies just under the lingering red fruit finish, creating a tautness to the firm young wine. Already exceedingly pleasurable upon release, the wine evolves from a bright young profile to a richer, hedonistic full body with a few swirls in the glass.
$25.00