WHEATFIELD VINES VINEYARD
WALLA WALLA VALLEY AVA
70% Barbera, 21% Cab Sauvignon, 9% Sangiovese
A sensory delight! Aromas open with warm, earthy notes of fresh bread, wheat and a whiff of salinity, followed by a rush of ripe light red fruit. Cranberry and raspberry dance with white pepper across your palate, while the scent of grape jelly lingers in the background. Barbera is a high acid, low tannin red, and the Dr. Dirt blend is gracefully supported with tannins from Cab and finished with a sprinkle of Sangio, resulting in a clean finish and an open invitation to pair with salty, savory and creamy dishes.
Bottling Date: July 30, 2024
Quantity: 100 cases
Alcohol: 13% ABV
pH/TA: 3.59/6.1 g/l
Blend: 70% Barbera, 21% Cab Sauvignon, 9% Sangiovese
Harvest Date: October 20 & 26 and November 8, 2022
Vineyard: Wheatfield Vines Vineyard
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Cold Soak: 3 Days
Yeast Strain: Pied de Cuve
Total Skin Contact: 21 Days
Malolactic Fermentation: Native Malolactic, Barrel Fermented
Aging Program: 21 months, 100% Neutral Oak
Doctor Dirt is Alan Busacca. And Alan Busacca is many things.
Educator. Alan spent 25 years as a geologist and soil scientist at Washington State University specializing in soil management and the geologic history of Pacific Northwest soils reaching back to the Ice Age. Few wine growers on earth understand as much about the ground they farm as our very own Doctor Dirt.
Vineyard Pioneer. Alan combined his expert knowledge of soils with his love of wine when he started Vinitas Vineyard Consultants in 2006. Through Vinitas, he has evaluated land all over the world for vineyard development, resulting in more than 5,000 acres of new vineyards. His work has also helped establish seven different American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in Washington and Idaho. In 2004, he discovered the property that would become Capital Call Vintners’ prized estate vineyard, Windhorse Vineyard.
Outdoorsman. Since leaving the classroom, Alan spends almost no time indoors. When not tending to his vineyard, you can find him exploring the many hills and valleys of the Columbia Gorge on his bike, whitewater rafting on the White Salmon and Klickitat Rivers, or cross-country skiing on Mount Hood and Mount Adams.
Friend. Alan is a great friend to many, but his friendship with Steve Bruere was instrumental in the founding of Capital Call Vintners. Alan met Steve in 2016 while consulting on a vineyard property and the two became fast friends. Alan’s passion for terroir and viticulture was inspirational to Steve, and the two partnered in 2017 to found Capital Call Vintners, pledging to spare no expense in the pursuit of making world-class wines.
The fruits of that friendship and Alan’s decades in the wine world are inside every bottle of Doctor Dirt.
Throughout his career, Alan has authored numerous papers and contributed to many others. Here is a selection of his work and articles he has provided his knowledge to.
Oregon Wine News
December 2008
An overview of the founding and planting of what is now Windhorse Vineyard. This piece chronicled the early stages of establishing the vineyard, highlighting the strategic decisions and the vision behind its creation.
Wine Press Northwest
Fall 2005
How the last Ice Age shaped the Northwest wine Industry.
Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources
June 2004
A geologic field trip guide from Stevenson to Zillah, Washington.
Nature
December 2005
Winemakers in the United States are increasingly calling on the services of geologists to help refine their products.
Geoscience Canada
December 2000
In-depth on the geologic influences that create the Walla Walla Valley AVA.
Geoscience Canada
December 2002
In-depth on the geologic influences that create the Red Mountain AVA.
Mosaic
May June 2015
A soil scientist brings the essence of fine wine back to its roots, helping vintners discover the best sites for growing grapes.
Geological Society of American
2004
Washington State is second only to California in terms of wine produced in the United States, and some of its vineyards and wines are among the world’s best.
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WALLA WALLA TASTING ROOM
11 N 2nd Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
509.876.2056
MIDDLEBROOK MERCANTILE
4125 Cumming Avenue
Cumming, IA 50061
515.981.0494
WINDHORSE VINEYARD
5698 Mill Creek Road
Dalles, OR 97058
Info@CapitalCallVintners.com
WALLA WALLA TASTING ROOM
11 N 2nd Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
509.876.2056
MIDDLEBROOK MERCANTILE
4125 Cumming Ave
Cumming, IA 50061
515.981.0494
WINDHORSE EXPERIENCES
5698 Mill Creek Road
The Dalles, OR 97058