Sometimes you have to do things yourself.  After losing a popular brand from Lake County in California I decided to make the replacement from the same area with a friend.  Rob McDonald has been in the wine business as an importer and winemaker for a large part of his life so, I called him.  I wanted a Sauvignon Blanc with birght acidity and a pronounced grapefruit character.  Rob had the perfect vineyard but we had to wait a year to get the fruit we wanted. 

 
Clear Lake with Mount Konocti in the distance

 
The Rooster Vineyard

  David Weiss’ Rooster Vineyard is just outside Kelseyville on the west side of Clear Lake in Lake County.  The whole area is dominated by Mount Konocti, an extinct volcano that created the soil types of the hills around it.  The Rooster Vineyard has a gray loam soil that gives a richness to the wine that has to be checked in the vineyard with pruning and green harvest.  The must is fermented in stainless steel at a cool temperature with no oak influence.  I tasted the 2009 vintage, the first, with Rob in the spring and could see that it was going to be just what I wanted, a very refreshing Sauvignon Blanc perfect for Florida’s weather.  Keep an eye out for the Rugged Hills Sauvignon Blanc.  It’s perfect with seafood and salads or just for sipping.