Summary:
The Itasca grape is another cold-hardy transplant from the Midwest (much like our winemaker). Developed by the University of Minnesota and named for the headwaters of the Mississippi River, Itasca’s cold hardiness and disease resistance enables it to thrive in its new New England home. Our Itasca grapes are planted in our Chace Hill Vineyard in the hills above the Wachusetts Reservoir in central Massachusetts where summer heat and humidity compete with bitter cold winter winds. This hardy grape shrugs off those extremes and offers a new revolutionary option for Massachusetts grown white wine!
Coupled with our winery’s location in Westford along the trail that the militia trode towards the Battle of Concord, we are pleased to showcase our new Itasca wine as “Liberty White”.
$2/bottle is donated to the Westford Historical Society for the continued preservation of our local revolutionary history.
Tasting Notes:
The nose abounds with aromas of honeyed pear, pineapple, quince and white flowers. Rich and round on the palette, the slightly sweet finish balances with a pronounced mineral acidity.
Aging Potential: Enjoy now through 2027.
Food Pairing Suggestions: A perfect accompaniment with Chinese or Mexican take-out, Alsatian-style cheeses, roasted chicken, grilled shrimp or white fish. Surprisingly good with sugared cake donuts!
Technical Data
Appellation: Massachusetts
Vineyard: Chace Hill Vineyard, Lancaster, MA
Varietal Composition: 95% Itasca / 5% Aromella
Aging Protocol: 12 months stainless steel
Alcohol: 11.5% ABV
Production Volume: 181 bottles
Vintage and Production Notes:
Our inaugural Itasca harvest was blessed with a long dry hot summer. The grapes were hand harvested at the end of August. After crushing and pressing, the juice was slowly fermented and then aged in stainless steel to preserve the bright fruit and floral aromas.
Previous Vintages:
TBD
2020