  
|
WINEMAKING
"Word of mouth is powerful advertising and when you focus on creating your own identity, rather than following trends, people listen." — President & Proprietor John Komes
Historic Flora Springs Ghost Winery 2010
In 1977, when we began the restoration of the century old ghost winery on the Flora Springs Estate, we understood the art of winemaking, but we were only beginning to understand the magic in our vineyards. For over thirty years we have served as stewards to our nine sustainably and organically farmed estate vineyards. We now know every corner of our land: how the light falls in late August, where the soils change, and which vineyard blocks ripen earliest. This identity of site dictates how we farm, and in turn, how we make the wine. By respecting this identity, we craft elegant and powerful wines that reflect the place from which they originate. Trends will come and go, but our muse will always be the land.
Under the direction of winemaker Paul Steinauer, Flora Springs continues its legacy as a pioneer in the American wine landscape. The estate blends historical charm with state-of-the-art winery production techniques and environmentally conscious technology. Inside the stone walls of our century old winery you will find specifically tailored stainless steel and concrete fermenters sized to match the blocks on each of our estate vineyards. Beyond the stone archway of the cellar lays 1,000 linear feet of caves. Carved in to the hillside, they provide an ideal and energy efficient environment for aging our wines. In December 2007 we implemented our most globally conscious upgrade with the installation of 6,500 square feet of solar panels. Sun powered wine!
Solar panels on the Rutherford Bench
Today, Paul Steinauer, and co-proprietor and vineyard director Pat Garvey, continue their commitment to growing and hand crafting artisan wines that can be enjoyed young and vibrant or cellared and graceful. "The synergy we've created between the vineyard and winery is our foundation," says Steinauer. "We share the same vision and dedicate all of our resources to realize that vision. I don't know any other way to make great wine."