Hiyu Tzum Moonhill Farm IV
Hiyu Tzum Moonhill Farm IV
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Hiyu Tzum Moonhill Farm IV

Hiyu Wine Farm
$84.50

Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir
Vintage: NV (BOTTLING IV)
Type: White

This white wine comes from Moonhill Farm, a 2-acre vineyard next to Hiyu that was once part of the same turn-of-the-century farm, planted to Wente-clone chardonnay from Celilo Vineyard with smaller amounts of pinot gris and pinot noir. It is drawn from a solera, which is why it carries a Roman numeral instead of a vintage. Some years see extended skin contact and others are pressed directly.

Winery

Hiyu is a true mixed farm with pigs, cows, chickens, ducks and geese living among the vines during different parts of the year and helping to control the vegetation. Nate calls their vineyard management, which has been deeply influenced by Masanobu Fukuoka, “the wild side of permaculture”.

The property is divided into half-acre blocks, each planted to a field blend from a different place or moment in the genetic history of the grapevine, with up to 150 different varieties and clones in total.

The name “Hiyu” comes from Chinook Jargon, where it denotes “abundance”, “plenty” or “big party”. Nate Ready used to work as a sommelier in various fine establishments, including the lauded Thomas Keller’s French Laundry in Napa Valley. China Tresemer, the estate’s co-founder and agriculturalist, is also a talented illustrator who creates all the labels.

Manual harvest into small baskets, whole cluster macerations, foot-treading and basket press, slow fermentation with indigenous yeasts only. Aged in old neutral oak barrels of various sizes. No fining or filtration, no sulfur at bottling.