Fission is a pure mountain wine, with a dark depth of fruit chiseled by the cool elevation of its vineyard site. A wine of texture, with the intensity and sappy concentration we associate with old vines, it builds into powerful tannins that remain refined, almost cloaked by the seductiveness of the fruit and the gently building structure. The name Fission was ultimately chosen to reference the textural and mineral characteristics that the unique volcanic soil brings to this wine.

Alta Vista Vineyard lies north of the town of Sonoma in the Moon Mountain AVA. The vines are over 50 years old, penetrating deep (20-40 feet) into volcanic soils with basalt and decomposed fractured granite. Extensive differences in elevation and exposures of this south-facing amphitheater bring spectacular complexity to the wines. Unbelievably for the region, it’s dry-farmed since planted in 1971. Planted on St. George rootstock, and farming is certified organic. The grapes were destemmed trying to keep berries whole, with very gentle pressing. Fermentation was in open tops with minimal punch downs and pump-overs, native yeasts carrying it out, never racked until blending prior to bottling.

2019 was a spectacular vintage - an amplified version of the 2018 growing season in terms of slow, steady growing conditions, perfect balance in the vines, slow ripening, great concentration, and bright acidity. The beauty of these old vines is that because they are so well established, the vines become fully ripe with less accumulation of sugar.