Turley does make Pinot Noir. In fact, Turley is primarily known for their Zinfandel wines, but they also produce a small amount of Pinot Noir. While their focus may be more on Zinfandel, their Pinot Noir wines are still highly regarded and worth exploring.
One of the key aspects of Turley's winemaking approach is their commitment to planting their vineyards very densely. This means that they plant a higher number of vines per acre compared to other wineries, which can result in smaller yields per vine. This technique is often used to promote competition among the vines, forcing them to dig deeper into the soil for nutrients and water, ultimately producing more concentrated flavors in the grapes.
When it comes to picking the Pinot Noir grapes, Turley aims for optimal ripeness. Ripe grapes tend to have a higher sugar content, resulting in wines with more alcohol, body, and richness. Picking the grapes at the right time is crucial to achieving the desired flavor profile in the final wine.
In the winemaking process, Turley handles their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes differently. Chardonnay clusters are typically pressed whole, which means that the grapes are gently squeezed to extract the juice without any further manipulation. This method helps to preserve the delicate flavors and aromas of the Chardonnay grapes.
On the other hand, Turley de-stems the Pinot Noir clusters before fermentation. This involves removing the stems from the grape clusters, leaving only the berries. This process is done to reduce any potential bitterness or green flavors that the stems can contribute to the wine. After de-stemming, the Pinot Noir grapes are cold soaked, which means they are held at a low temperature for a period of time before fermentation begins. This cold soak helps to extract color and flavor from the grape skins, which are responsible for the characteristic attributes of Pinot Noir.
During the cold soak, Turley performs one pump over per day. This technique involves pumping the juice from the bottom of the fermentation vessel and spraying it over the top of the grape skins. This process helps to ensure even extraction of color, flavor, and tannins from the skins, contributing to the overall complexity and structure of the wine.
Turley's approach to making Pinot Noir involves careful vineyard management, selective picking of ripe grapes, and specific winemaking techniques to highlight the unique characteristics of the variety. While Pinot Noir may not be their primary focus, Turley's commitment to quality is evident in their Pinot Noir wines, making them worth exploring for any wine enthusiast.