Tasting Room
51 Hanford Street
Sutter Creek, CA 209 267.8190
Thursday-Sunday noon to five
www.yorbawines.com
ABOUT YORBA WINES and SHAKE RIDGE VINEYARDS
Bearing the legacy of four generations of Yorba citrus growers in Southern California, the Kraemer Family found a new home in the Sierra Foothills. On a beautiful, secluded ranch in Amador County, Shake Ridge Vineyards is the culmination of experience, thoughtful design, and hard work. After noting the various soils and microclimates of this hilly ranch, small blocks were designated to the ideal variety, rootstock and trellis. The original vineyard was developed in 2003 with wine quality as only consideration from the onset. In 2009 twelve additional acres were planted with the same care and detail for a total of 46 acres of premium vineyards.
THE LAND
Land With a Story to Tell ~ Shake Ridge Vineyards was originally settled in the 1870’s by Italian immigrants who hand cleared a portion of the ranch. Although too late for the Gold Rush, they raised cattle, established fruit and olive orchards, tended vegetable plots, and cultivated wine grapes to provide ‘vittles’ to the mining camps. After the camps closed, the ranch reverted to pastureland for over eighty years, until the Kraemers planted Zinfandel, Rhone varietals, Barbera, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah in 2003.
SUSTAINABILITY
Farming for Generations ~ Shake Ridge grapes are tended with the minimal interference possible yet with constant attention. The vines are given limited inputs, but are not asked to carry more crop than they can handle, encouraging strong, healthy plants, producing wines of the highest quality. The entire ranch is farmed sustainably – using just enough organic fertilizer and compost to support natural growth, utilizing cover crops for both nutrition and erosion control, attacking pests with natural predators and netting before harvest to keep the birds from making a feast of the grapes.
QUALITY
Bold! ~ That’s what we want our grapes to be, as well as versed in the three C’s of viticulture – color, concentration and character.
-Color – a gift from our site – red rocky soils, high elevation and great fluctuation of day to night temperatures. Our reds show off a deep, dark hue, with intense red, blue and purple tones, depending on the variety.
-Concentration – due to careful farming practices, our vines are small but healthy and strong, focusing all the vines’ energy into their ‘progeny’ – grapes full of intense flavors and aromas.
-Character – inherited from the land, the climate and how well the grapevines are suited to both. As farmers, we are able to influence this synergy by placing each variety on a slope or soil to satisfy its needs and maximize the vineyard’s potential.
Thanks to our efforts to work with nature, the grapes succeed in providing colorful, concentrated wines with great character for your enjoyment.
VISIT US:
Tasting Room Info
51 Hanford Street Sutter Creek, CA 95685
Downtown Sutter Creek
(209) 267-8150
Open Thursday - Sunday, 12-5
VISIT SUTTER CREEK
http://www.wineonmain.com/
http://www.suttercreek.org/
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Meet the People Behind Yorba Wines and Shake Ridge Vineyards
Ann Kraemer, The Vine Tender
Yorba is also lucky to have a seasoned vineyard manager in the family. A respected viticulturist, Ann Kraemer developed Shake Ridge Vineyard relying on her 25 years of experience in the premium wine industry. After earning her stripes managing vineyards for Domaine Chandon and Swanson, she eventually moved into consulting with wineries and vineyards, including Cain, Calera, Hobbs and Shafer.
Though she thrived in the industry, Ann longed for a chance to farm again. Shake Ridge Vineyards is proving a worthy, and demanding, subject for her passion. By custom-farming small vineyard blocks, Ann is able to provide Yorba and the other Shake Ridge winemakers the highest quality fruit. As Ann says, “It’s all in the details”.
Ken Bernards, Winemaker
Ken Bernards, our winemaker, has spent years honing his skills with his own label, Ancien. He has devoted most of his career to Pinot Noir, often considered the most difficult wine to make, gaining both regional and international acclaim. We are fortunate that Ken has the time and energy to devote to perfecting the Yorba varietals, all with their own demands for individual attention.
He is flexible and adaptive, able to recognize the subtle needs of a wine-in-progess. He’s thoughtful and questioning, never accepting that what worked last vintage is the ‘recipe’ and ever aware that each year has its own attributes. His uncompromising commitment brings out the best that Shake Ridge has to offer in the elegant, balanced Yorba wines.
The Crew - One BIG family!!
Shake Ridge Vineyards is truly a multi-generation effort. The present ‘adult’ generation put in their hours as kids, pulling irrigation hoses, filling smudge pots, and picking oranges and avocados -- so much so that all except Ann were smart enough to go on to study other fields. But the chance to join together and get Shake Ridge Ranch up and running was too enticing to pass up. Even the grandparents have come out of retirement to join the endeavor.
The next generation is already earning its stripes. From bottling our homemade wine since they were old enough to take direction to being the best vine workers around, they are a hard-working but fun-loving crew. And smart – their fresh young minds challenge the old-timers to rethink what’s always been done.
