The Bridge News
July 2018 - Vol. 17
Welcome to the Bridge
Bridging all aspects of our Winery from the Vineyard, to
the Cellar, Winery Grounds, Tasting Room and beyond. Our ongoing newsletter is an ideal way to stay up to date with all aspects of the Winery
and our newest wine releases!

In this Edition: Learn about new techniques in the vineyards for removing leaves to increase light and airflow, read the differences between Tartaric and Malic acids found in wine grapes and get amazing ideas for pairing food and wine together this summer. As it's wedding season, learn of the many upcoming events and meet friends and family members Sam and Alexa who are getting married here in September!
vineyard
Vineyard News
The Latest Bit of Mechanization
by Operations Manager, Joe Salman

This time last year I spoke to about how we remove leaves in the canopy of a grapevine around bunches of fruit to increase light and airflow around the grapes. 

As I spoke this greatly increases wine quality as well as make many varieties less disease prone.  For the nearly of 50 years that my family has grown grapes we have done this task  by hand. Just this year, due to the economics in the industry, we have invested in a mechanical leaf puller.  

What is most interesting is that there have been many different types of machines that will remove leaves in the fruit zone, but this type actually pulls the leaf off similar to hand work.  

I tried to make a video myself, but I think this product one done by a vendor is much better:

Pellenc Leaf Remover
Pellenc Leaf Remover - Click to Watch Video

If you are wondering,  we are not going cold turkey on the hand leaf pulling and not laying any workers off.   We have them going to vineyard blocks where a more precise job is necessary and in many cases they might clean up behind the machine later in the growing season.  This can be seen with this vine that the fruit zone leaves are completely removed which left the fruit fully exposed, but this is only the morning sun that is "kissing" the fruit.  When the sun moves around to the other side of the vine in the hot afternoon a more filtered light is achieved, keeping the fruit cooler.  Enjoy.


--  back to top --
cellar
Cellar News
Understanding the Two Main Types of Acids Found in Wine Grapes
By Winemaker Ed Seikel

Over the last few months we've looked at the roles that acidity and tannins play in a wine's balance.  Now we're going to go a little more in depth into the two main types of acids found in wine grapes, their roles, and their characteristic qualities in the finished wine.

The most prominent acid found in wine grapes is tartaric acid.  Tartaric builds up in the flowers of the vine and remains remarkably constant throughout the grape ripening process.  As the primary component of overall acidity in wine, it plays the biggest role in the wine's chemical and color stability as well as having the strongest effect on taste in the finished wine.  On the palate, tartaric acid has an almost salty and light citrusy flavor that you feel at the tip of your tongue and finishes with a strong mouth-watering sensation to the back of your jaw.  Our 2017 Rose of Cabernet is a great example of a wine with a luscious and juicy finish thanks in large part to it's high levels of tartaric acid.

Malic acid is the second biggest contributor to acidity in wine grapes.  Although, unlike tartaric acid, malic acid levels will drop as the grape ripens as the vines use it for fuel for respiration.  Malic acid is very easy to describe on the palate: just think of biting into a juicy Granny Smith apple.  Malic acid is the primary acid in apples, so it's predominantly responsible for that bright and lively sourness.  Depending on the wine, this effect on the palate can be a bit overwhelming, so almost all red wines, and some white wines as well, will go through a process called malolactic fermentation, also known as secondary fermentation, while in barrel.  During this process malic acid is converted to lactic acid, a much "softer" tasting acid that has a lesser effect on the overall pH of the finished wine.  The crisp bite of malic acid is a major reason why our 2017 Sauvignon Blanc is just so refreshing when this hot weather comes rolling through this time of year.


--  back to top --
tasting
Tasting Room
Tons of Great Events at Grand Island Vineyards!
By Tasting Room Manager Tess Jonson

If you've been around GIV this month, you'll have noticed we have been super busy with events! First event being our "Chardy Party", the release of our 2017 Chardonnay. We celebrated with some Hendrix funk inspired music preformed by the one and only Groovy Judy. The 2017 Chardonnay was a perfect fit for the warm evening on the patio.

Sangria Sunday was a funday! Weather was cooperating and the pitchers of sangria flowing steady. So much so that we scheduled another Sangria Sunday. Join us on July 15th for another chance to sip on our delicious citrus sangria. Live jazz music with a spanish flare will be preformed by Spain native, Javier Altimiras, 1-4pm. You don't want to miss this!

GIV also hosted the first wedding of the season. We are so happy for the newlyweds, Chris and Madison Douglas. We wish the two a lifetime full of love and hapiness.

On the hottest day of the year we also hosted a corporate picnic with over 300 guests. Thankfully we had a nice breeze and a lot of tents and umbrellas to help keep our guests cool.
 


-- back to top --
family
GIV Wine Family
Say Hello to Sam Sayad and Alexa Bowe!

Sam and Alexa have been Grand Island Friends and Family since December 2017. Residing in Sacramento, Sam is the Director of Guest Experience for Sacramento Kings Basketball and Alexa is the Manager of the Bakery for Whole Foods. What's even more exciting is Sam and Alexa are getting married here at Grand Island in September of this year!

Sam has a B.A. in Environmental Studies and previously worked for the Oakland A's, Golden State Warriors and the Oakland Raiders, while Alexa used to make wedding cakes for a vineyard in Livermore. Like most of us, they enjoy "harassing" Tess via email about their favorite GIV wines which include the Rose of Cabernet and Bridgehead Bubbles. They also really enjoy any New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, typically they enjoy wine while they BBQ or stroll around the grounds with a bottle.

Sam and Alexa have been together over 14 years now and have known each other since Middle School.  Stop by the Winery to possibly meet Sam, Alexa and a variety of other people we are proud to consider both Friends and Family.

-- back to top --
spotlight
Wine Spotlight
Pairing Wines with Food During the Summer
By Winemaker David Shattuck

As the summer comes upon us, many people begin to switch from drinking red wine to beer and other colder options.  However,we wanted to take a moment and talk about how versatile wine can be at a summertime BBQ.  

For pork and chicken dishes that are herbal or citrusy we like to use our 2017 Sauvignon Blanc to complement the flavors.  I have also used the Sauvignon Blanc as a Digestif when paired with a grilled peach or nectarine. 

We like to use the Rose of Cabernet of the Bridgehead Blanc with spicy dishes or meats with a little BBQ sauce on them.  The acidity and sweet flavors of both these wines help to cut BBQ sauce and soften spicy flavors.  

For heavier smoked meats and good steaks, we recommend the Grand Island Cabernet Franc as a great pairing.  Hearty dishes like smoked brisket, elk burgers, and all types of steak are enhanced by the lush tannin, fressh fruit, and cedar/tobacco notes of the Cabernet Franc.

For dessert in the sumemrtime, we recommend using the Bridgehead Velluto as a topping for ice cream or over fresh berries.


 
-- back to top --
club

Wine Club
Grand Island Wine Club - Discounts, Parties and Live Events!

Get Grand Island Vineyards Wine delivered directly to your door!

For roughly $35 - $45 a quarter, Wine Club Members receive an initial three bottles (shipped or picked up at the winery) and the ability to customize each order from our many, many wines.  All Wine Club Members also receive an ongoing 15% off any bottle purchase as well as 20% off all case purchases! Members also have access to wine family only wines, discounts on live events, exclusive Members-Only quarterly parties and one free group tasting for up to 20 people per year!

To enroll in the  Wine Club, or to access your existing account and make changes on which wines you would like to receive each shipment, please login using our  online access area. To verify your account upon signup (via Billing Information or by Email) you can do so at our online  Account Verification  page.  

--  back to top --
events
Upcoming Events 
View all events, R.S.V.P. or get tickets to Grand Island Events and Tours here!

GIV After Dark - Friday, July 6, 2018
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Featuring Live Music by Funky Tim - PRICE: Free!

Join us for another exciting Grand Island Vineyards After Dark Event! This monthly event, during out after hours is the perfect place for live music and delicious wines.  Buy your favorite wine by the bottle or by the glass and enjoy the talented musicians, Funky Tim we've chosen for the event. Indoor and outdoor service is available in an intimate setting to enjoy all that Grand Island Vineyards has to offer.   

Click here  for more information on this event!


Sangria Sunday - Sunday, July 15, 2018
10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Featuring Live Music by Javier Altimiras - PRICE: Free!

If you missed out in June, then no worries. Sangria Sunday is coming back to Grand Island Vineyards in July. Try the extremely delicious Citrus Sangria made with our 2016 Sauvignon Blanc! Enjoy a fun day in the sun, with a delicious Sangria made of GIV wine and as well as local grown fruit from Salman Farms. Featuring live music by Spanish Born musician Javier Altimiras! Give us a heads up when you might join us for the Sangria Sunday event, featuring Sangria using GIV wine and spend your day sipping your custom made drink while enjoying the grounds. 

Click here for more information on this event!


GIV After Dark - Friday, August 3, 2018
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Featuring Live Music by Kyle Tuttle - PRICE: Free!

Join us for another exciting Grand Island Vineyards After Dark Event! This monthly event, during out after hours is the perfect place for live music and delicious wines.  Buy your favorite wine by the bottle or by the glass and enjoy the talented musician, Kyle Tuttle we've chosen for the event. Indoor and outdoor service is available in an intimate setting to enjoy all that Grand Island Vineyards has to offer.   

Click here for more information on this event!

 

Visit our Online Store for Tickets and/or to RSVP
-- back to top --