2022 Simplicissimus

RS: 0.0g/L Vineyards: 55% Jamieson, 35% Irish, 10% Grishaw

Philosophy
Simplicissimus is...
➔ a difficult way of saying something simple. The hands-off approach and unique fermentation was a more complex process than the usual traditional method.
➔ a German Satirical magazine (1896-1967) featuring bright, bold, artistically modern graphics Winemaker Sean O’Keefe enjoys. It published politically daring works from writers critical of rigid Prussian military figures and German socio economic distinctions.
➔ originated from a 1669 book titled Simplicius Simplicissimus, known as a picaresque novel—depicting adventures of witty, roguish, lower social class heroes in corrupt societies. Inspired by events and horrors of the Thirty Year War, it is regarded as the first German language adventure novel and the first German novel masterpiece.

Flavor Notes
The 2022 vintage is clean and crisp with refreshing fruitiness. Lemon curd, pineapple, and macintosh apple notes add a ripeness to this otherwise bone dry wine.

Vinification
The wine was made in the ancestral method. A later harvest occurred due to a rainy October, with grapes from our Grishaw Vineyard added to boost flavors. The grapes were harvested from Irish Vineyard on October 21st, 2022, from Jamieson on the 22nd, and from Grishaw on November 1st. All three vineyard selections fermented separately with non-traditional yeast Torulaspore Delbrueckii—no further additions besides the ambient cellar yeasts already existing in the environment. On December 22nd, they were blended together on their lees and aged in the tank for two months before primary fermentation was halted early by chilling the juice, leaving 22 g/L of naturally occurring residual sugar. On February 22nd, 2023 we started filtering the base wine and bottled it March 24th under a crown cap. After secondary fermentation, the wine aged for fifteen months on its bottle lees. Starting before June 14th, 2024 when it was riddled, disgorged, and topped off with more of the same wine to finish.

Pairings:
Celebrate sparkling wine by enjoying the Simplicissimus as a apéritif, or pair with crabcakes, beer bratwurst with german mustard, hawaiian or bbq chicken pizza. “What does sparkling wine not go with?” - Sean O’Keefe

Suggested Cellaring:
Best enjoyed now through 2029.