Bloomer Creek Vineyard Edelzwicker Blue Cap Finger Lakes 2019

Bloomer Creek is a small, family run winery established over 30 years ago by Kim Engle and Debra Bermingham, pioneers in natural winemaking whose motto is “Wines Made with a Sense of Adventure.” Named after the small creek running behind the 10 acre vineyard on the west side of Cayuga Lake, the focus at Bloomer Creek is firmly on preserving the “sense of place” in their wine through minimal intervention in the winemaking process. No herbicides are used, weed control is done mechanically, and seaweed/fish and compost formulations are used to promote vine health. Edelzwicker wines are based on the traditional blended white wines of Alsace, with the uniquely Finger Lakes addition of the hybrid Cayuga White grape. 50% Cayuga White, 45% riesling, and 5% gewurztraminer, all grapes are hand harvested from vines between 15 and 20 years in age, destemmed, and fermented at controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks for 5-6 months. The wine is left on the gross lees without stirring and without malolactic fermentation. It is then lightly filtered and bottled without fining. On the palate it is tart and funky, with quince, apricot, spiced pear, and orange blossom water flavors joined by exotic notes of honeysuckle and dried flowers on a dry, medium-bodied frame. Organically grown, low intervention/natural wine, vegan.