Farming is an experience-based endeavor. Understanding comes through the commitment of one’s own time and the wisdom shared by previous generations. Each day offers a new opportunity to uphold our guiding belief that what is good for nature will be good for wine.
Purpose, humility, and curiosity emanate from viticulturist Ryan Decker. Descended from a long line of farmers, his inherited wisdom mirrors the French attitudes towards farming upon which Clos du Val was founded. His vigilance is distinct whether he’s herding sheep at daybreak, shoulder-deep in a soil pit in the afternoon, or leading a harvest in the cool, quiet night hours. His oversight of Clos du Val’s 225 acres of estate vineyards ensures the resource that made Clos du Val’s first half-century will live for many more.
“How fortunate am I to be a shepherd of nature and to take that responsibility seriously.”
Across Hirondelle Estate, we have dug deep holes throughout the vineyard. What we learned by looking into the soils that eroded from the towering Stags Leap Palisades above empowered us to intentionally couple different Bordeaux varieties with the conditions best suited to their innate characteristics.
From this foundation, we farm in a manner that allows the fruit to express itself.
“In the early ‘80s, my grandfather, John Goelet, commissioned cartoonist Ronald Searle to create a series of illustrations capturing the quirks and charm of the wine world. John and Ronald had become close friends through their shared love of the arts and humor and wanted to bring joy and laughter to the world of wine. I remember fondly my childhood leafing through a series of books that documented these illustrations. Something I keep at my desk as a reminder that wine should never be taken too seriously and that humor will always liven the mood. We wanted to share this as a way of remembering my grandfather, and bring some joy and humor to our world of wine without compromising the focus and attention we bring to our craft.”
–Olav Goelet, Third-Generation Owner
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