The Bridge News
June 2018 - Vol. 16
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 the reproductive process of vines and fruits, read part two of our series on the importance of Tannins, see a recap of our Bottle Your Own Wine event, meet Brian, our Marketing and Public Relations person, learn about our 2017 Chardonnay Release/Event, wine club specials and more upcoming events!
vineyard
Vineyard News
Thinking XXX
by Operations Manager, Joe Salman

I think the Bridge newsletter should really be kept PG, but as I brushed over this last year, it is now time to talk about sex.  

Our vines are doing that right now!  Well, how else do you think a fruit is formed?  And that fruit, the grape berry, is what we all concerned about or at least the wine that comes from it.  

Most vines are currently in bloom, shown to the right:

Bloom, we see in all sorts of flowering trees, shrubs, and plants and we probably all just write it off that there is a flower there now and in a little while there will be fruit in its place.  

But the wonder of mother nature actually has a reproductive process happening in that flower.  In most commercial grape vines the flowers contain both the male and female reproductive parts (self-pollinating):



Due to the self-pollinating ability of our flowers we do not rely and having special pollinating vines and bees to help move that pollen grains around.  

Really all that is required is some nice mild weather and a vine not being under a lot of stress and you get fruit, as you can see on the left photo of this Chardonnay vine already having the fruit of its labor.

We invite you to stop by the Vineyards anytime to see the progress of our fruits and we will be happy to explain anything you'd like and offer a free tasting of this variety or any other wonderful wine we have to offer. 

We are currently open Friday through Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and by special appointment during the week.
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cellar
Cellar News
Part Two: The Importance of Tannins
By Winemaker Ed Seikel

Last month we began looking at what goes into creating a well balanced wine, specifically looking at a wine's acidity.  Another big contributor to a wine's overall balance is tannin.  Tannins are, specifically, polyphenols found throughout plants.  In wine they contribute structure and a necessary bitterness that plays a big role in a properly balanced wine.  When speaking about tannins there are actually two types of balance we are worried about: the balance between the tannins and the other wine components and the balance of tannins across the palate.

Just like acidity, tannins also play a huge role in the overall style of a wine.  A young, fruity, high acid wine like our Rose of Cabernet Sauvignon or our lighter velvety Pinot Noir tend to have a much lower total amount of tannin than your average red wine.  Meanwhile, our Cabernet Franc and soon-to-be-released Petite Sirah both have higher overall levels of tannin that help to provide the much needed structure found in these wines.  This is the case in whites as well.  Our very crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc has a much lower total amount of tannin than our newly released barrel fermented Chardonnay (Which you can read about in David's wine spotlight this month!)  Too much tannin, however, will cause a wine to taste bitter, or possibly astringent.  Like a tea that steeped for too long.  Too little tannin and a wine will feel thin and washed out on the palate.  Regardless of whether the overall levels of tannin are low or high, for a wine to be at its best proper care must be taken to ensure they are well balanced against the rest of the its components.

Another type of balance we think about when it comes to tannin is when the wine is on your palate.  A good wine, whether high or low in overall tannin, will have the feeling that the tannins are contributing the same amount of structure, bitterness, and astringency across the whole palate.  When out of balance in the "front" a wine may feel like it drastically dries out your gums and lips, or makes the tip of your tongue feel parched.  In the mid palate an imbalance would come across as either a peanut butter on the roof of your mouth sensation, or possibly a "hole" in the overall weight of the wine.  At the back of your palate an out of balance wine would finish very bitter, or possibly flabby and watery.  A properly balanced wine will have the structure to carry a wine across your palate evenly, with a nice weight and a clean but pronounced finish.

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tasting
Tasting Room
Do It Yourself Bottling Event is a Huge Success! 
By Tasting Room Manager Tess Jonson

Thank you members and guests for making our DIY Bottle Your Own Experience such a GRAND event! If you missed it, you definitely missed out. We started in the barrel room where our guests checked in, got their supplies and bottled their own wine. After that they moved on to some complimentary Citrus Sangria ( recipe in last months newsletter), which was a huge hit. 

This event was such a big hit that we will be making it for Sangria Sunday on June 10th, 10-5pm. This event will also have live music provided by one of our favorites, Gage Courtios, 1-4pm. While sipping on sangria our guests decorated their own wine labels and I must say I was very impressed with the creativity.

The very much awaited Chardonnay is finally being released! Join us June 1st, 5:30-8:30pm, for our After Dark Chardy Party. Live music with Groovy Judy who has a Hendrix inspired funk rock style.


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family
GIV Wine Family
Say Hello to Brian Sutherland, Marketing and Communications

Brian has been operating on a 15+ year international basis, developing coordinated electronic marketing and publicity campaigns for a variety of clients, including Van Gogh Vodka,
PETA, Cardiology Agencies, Hospitals, Fox Radio, several Universities, a well-known pharmaceutical company, Northern Nevada/California Law Enforcement and most notably, the
State of the World Forum, a community outreach program in conjunction with SOWF President Jim Garrison, Al Gore, Jane Goodall and Mikhail Gorbachev. 

Brian is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno with a B.A. in Journalism/Public Relations and holds specialty certifications in Digital Marketing from Marquette and Sports Industry Management from Columbia University. 

Most recently, Brian was the Executive Producer of the multiple, award-winning film Nowhere Nevada and its soundtrack which received a five-year international distribution deal in late 2015. Brian previously ran his own electronic marketing/PR agency more commonly known as Virtual Reality Public Relations or Sutherland PR, working with such clients as the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, South Lake Tahoe PD, the Regional Public Safety Training Center and Century 21 Corporate.

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spotlight
Wine Spotlight
2017 Chardonnay Release!
By Winemaker David Shattuck

Ed and I are very excited to release another delicious white wine for the summer season.  The 2017 Chardonnay was barrel fermented and aged on lees prior to bottling.  A portion of this wine was a spontaneous wild fermentation that adds complexity and mouthfeel to the final blend.

This wine opens with sensuous notes of musk, pear, corn silk, and spice.  The aroma evolves in the glass into hints of toast, frankincense, and smoke with a beautiful soft fleshy white fruit and orange rind counterpoint.  The mouthfeel is unctuous with a rich profile and zingy acidity. Flavors of honeysuckle, browned butter, and caramelized sugar slowly fade into a lingering note of wet rock and charred oak.

This wine is available for purchase both online and at the winery!

 
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club

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

Get great discounts on Grand Island Vineyards Wine!  Our Wine Club makes it easy to get wine delivered 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.  

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

GIV After Dark - Friday, June 1, 2018 - Release of the 2017 Chardonnay
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Featuring Live Music by Groovy Judy - 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 Groovy Judy 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, June 10th, 2018
10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Featuring Live Music by Jon Nolan - PRICE: Free!

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. 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. First you choose White or Red Sangria at $4/caraff, then choose Mixing Wine and sit back and enjoy! 

Click here for more information on this event!
 
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!



Visit our Online Store for Tickets and/or to RSVP
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