Pale straw color; peach, pineapple, apricot, lychee, honeydew melon, honeysuckle, orange blossom, ginger on the nose and palate.
Off-dry (21 g/L RS); no tannins; bright acidity (3.31 pH; 5.2 g/L TA). Highly aromatic. Light body with light touch of spritz. Blend of 90% symphony, 10% orange muscat; fermented and aged in stainless steel. Symphony is a cross between muscat of Alexandria and grenache gris. The Kautz family, owners of Ironstone Vineyards, have the largest plantings of symphony grapes in California. The grapes thrive in the mineral-rich clay and sandy-loam soils of the Mokelumne River sub-appellation of the Lodi AVA. 11% ABV
Ironstone Vineyards is located in Murphys in Calaveras County, CA. In addition to making wine, the facility includes dining, impressive gardens, and venues for weddings, concerts, and corporate events. The website notes: “Our wines reflect the diversity of offerings from the Lodi and Sierra Foothills Appellations of Northern California. Through emphasizing the practice of Sustainable Viticulture, Ironstone Vineyards conserves water use, builds healthy soil, and maintains our surrounding wildlife habitat.”
The Kautz family immigrated from Germany to California in the early 20th century, with members coming in waves. Friedrich and Marie Kautz settled near Lodi in 1923 and established the agricultural foundation for what eventually became the extensive Kautz operation. Originally, Friedrich farmed rented properties, but in 1942 he was able to buy his first farm with a focus on vegetables and row crops. Friedrich and Marie’s son, John Harry Kautz, was a pivotal figure, expanding the operation, primarily growing tomatoes for canning
In a bold move in 1968, John began converting some of his farmland to vineyards. John and his wife, Gail, were the first to plant chardonnay in the Lodi area, ten years before others followed suit. They also made an extensive commitment to the somewhat rare symphony grape, the main variety in this effort. The Kautz family began Ironstone Winery in 1988 and 1989. John formed a mining company and built the winery by blasting 10,000 feet of caverns into the mountainside. The seven-story facility is a modern replica of an 1859 Gold Rush-era stamp mill, a homage to the regions mining heritage. They opened the Heritage Museum to further emphasize the history. The museum centerpiece is a specimen that weigh 44 pounds and is 98% pure gold, the world’s largest specimen of crystalline gold leaf.
Today, the Kautz family operation encompass some 8,000 acres of vineyards, making them one of the top ten wine grape growers in the United States and the 8th largest family-owned vineyard operation in California. The family has practiced sustainable viticulture for more than 35 years, with their vineyards certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance since 2018.
Ironstone Vineyards Obsession Symphony 2023 is off-dry celebration of the symphony grape developed by UC-Davis in 1948. Very aromatic with brisk acidity to balance is slight sweetness. Light and refreshing. Fun sipper. $16-19
Pairing—Asian cuisine, particularly Pad Thai and Thai curry where the wine’s gentle sweetness and acidity balance the heat and complex spices. Also Indian dishes, Chinese stir-fry and spicy barbecue. Mexican cuisine, especially black mole dishes. Seafood, shellfish, shrimp tacos. Barbecue. Grilled fruits. Spring salads with vinaigrette dressing. Cheese—Brie, camembert; fresh goat cheese, chèvre; burrata, fresh mozzarella; havarti, young gouda, monterey jack
Excellent as aperitif and with charcuterie boards featuring smoked and cured meats, fruits, prosciutto.
