THE STORY
Chile: A Winemaker's Paradise Chile is a true rarity in the wine world. Unique geographic and climatic forces have allowed it to remain one of the very few grape growing regions in the world where original European rootstocks have survived, unaffected by Phylloxera – the disease that forced grape growers worldwide to graft vines onto generic rootstocks. Crafted exclusively from grapes grown on original, ungrafted root systems and produced using sustainable methods, the intense fruit flavors and authentic varietal character of Root: 1 wines are living proof that character comes from your roots. Root: 1 has received glowing reviews from many major publications, wine writers and enthusiasts. |
I selected this bottle of wine to create a photogram of because the image is etched on the glass. This transparency allows for a sharper and more clear image than images from paper labels.
Last year the owner of Ellensburg Canyon Winery selected a giclee print of this image for his tasting room. After receiving the artwork he sent me the following message:
I received my Root 1 art work today and hung it in my Tasting Room, very nice touch.
The reason I choose this piece is because I get a lot of questions about how a grape vine grows and why Washington Wines are unique in the World of Wine. A picture is worth a 1000 words and your art captures the following discussion beautifully.
The piece shows that a grape vine is a perrenial/taprooted/dicotyledonous plant, which in Washington, does not need to be grafted. This is due to our soils/climate, which do not allow for the winged form of Phyloxera to occur and therefore allows the true varietal characteristics to manifest themselves.
If you don't know the story of Phyloxera, it goes something like this: Thomas Jefferson loved wine so much that he wanted to see if American grape vines (Vitas lambrusca) when exported to France for trials there, could make a great wine in that Terroir.
With the root stock went Phyloxera (a root louse), which then infested all vineyards around the world, decimating the Wine Industry by 1865. It was not until Dr. Denson at Texas A&M University realized that the American Vitas lambrusca was resistant and by grafting Vitas vinifera onto it, saved the World's Wine Industry.
This then, makes any/all Washington Wines taste 'different' than the same variety from any other place, and in my humble opinion, taste better. This is proven by the fact that when tasted in blind competitions against the finest French Wines in Paris, the Washington Wines are chosen.
When the price point comparisons are added in, jaws drop, as we make quality wines at very affordable prices.
Cheers!"
If you have questions or comments I would love to hear them.
Much love to you all!