Newsletter June 2025
Premium Wines from Fair Play
The wines at Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards are superior. Our soil is mostly decomposed granite. The soil drains very well. This results in low yields, 2 tons per acre, very little or no pressure from the dreaded root Louse Phylloxera which devasted almost all wine grapes in France and Italy in the late 19th century and in the 1990s all of Napa Valley was replanted. The solution to Phylloxera is to graph all vines to Phylloxera resisted rootstock. The bug has difficulty surviving in well-drained soil; therefore, all Charles B. Mitchell Vineyard are planted to their own roots. Seems to me and most every wine grape grower the fruit produced on its own roots would be superior. So, the potential is there with superior fruit of low yields (translates to High Quality) on their own roots. Most of Napa Valley is a fertile river bottom, yielding 7 or more tons per acre (high yields, low quality). All of Napa Valley vines are on resisted rootstock. If you’re convinced of our superior potential in Fair Play, please come and taste. If you’re not convinced of our superior potential in Fair play, please come out and taste.
Charles B. Mitchell, Vigneron
June Club Wines
2023 Reserve Estate Primitivo
In the US, Estate is defined by the TTB as the producer controlling the vineyard, much as a vigneron in France, the Primitivo cepage is a clone of Zinfandel. The TTB allows the producers to use the two words interchangeably. I planted the Primitvo 8 years ago on a Northwest facing slope. The vineyard gets sun exposure in the afternoon and early evening; you might call it extended sun exposure to obtain superior extraction. The berries were small and clustered loose allowing longer hang-time and a certain intensity and saturation not often found in a lighter style wine.
Cote Du Cosumnes
This wine will take you back to the south of France near Chateauneuf de Pape where the wines are based on Syrah and Grenache, which contribute to its excitement. The name is a spin off the French Cote Du Rhone, Cote meaning hillside, Du translating to “of” and, of course, Cosumnes is our local river. Fondly referred to as the barbequer’s delight at Charles B Mitchell Vineyards, this wine is a great medium-bodied wine that pairs well with anything grilled.
2023 Amador Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a white-wine grape variety indigenous to France and now planted widely internationally. It is known for its distinctive flavors including fresh herbs, grapefruit and melons. Sauvignon Blanc wine is generally light to medium-bodied and has crisp acidity.
February 1, 2025
A word from Charles:
"I rarely annoy a police officer, I do remember a time when a policeman threatened to quit the wine club, now that will get your attention!
Charles B. Mitchell is a Vigneron. I remember shaking hands with each vine, and I had to fire a few. The age of the vine is not necessarily associated with the quality of fruit, being in touch with a plant, the Vigneron makes the decision on who stays and who goes. The quality starts in the vineyard but continues in the cellar. Who must stay? And who must leave?"
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8221 Stoney Creek Rd. Somerset CA, 95684
info@charlesbmitchell.com
(530)620-3467
