Hiyu Wine Farm Moon Dog 2022

Hiyu Wine Farm Moon Dog 2022

Hiyu Wine Farm
$145.00

Grape: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris
Vintage: 2022
Type: Red

This is the fourth release of Moon Dog. They skipped over the 2020 and 2021, which are still aging in barrel, in favor of this wine’s classical profile. Traditional and very much made in the mold of great Burgundy from the 30’s and 40’s, this spent three weeks on the skins whole-cluster and aged for over two years in barrel. With the longer barrel aging, “overtly fruity flavors are replaced by high-pitched spice and truffle. This wine has more power and tannin than most wines currently made in Burgundy, but doesn’t veer as far toward Barolo.

 

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.