Current Issue 03.10
NIMAN RANCH
"In the modern era of American life, the vast majority of U.S. citizens have become completely ignorant of the source of their most basic need: food. At least some of this ignorance must be deemed willful, perhaps even calculated. Turning a blind eye to the distasteful, even shocking state of the typical commercially raised-for-profit steer, chicken, hog, sheep, etcetera is convenient..." Read More
SMUTTYNOSE
At the age of 18, Greg Blanchard wasn’t disappointed when his father, a professor of mycology (the study of mushrooms and fungi), failed to use that year’s Christmas gift from his son; a home beer-brewing kit. Greg happily used it for himself...
Clay Mauritson's LOAM
Positas
"Tumbled through the ages by creeks and rivers, Positas is a gravely Loam soil formed in alluvial material. Primarily located between 200-1000 feet in elevation, Positas soils are found on stream terraces and side slopes, commonly referred to as benchland, home to some of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon. Positas soils are nutrient rich, moderately deep, and yet, well drained. Cabernet thrives in the environment provided by Positas soils, yielding fruit with thick skins, broad tannins, and rich characteristics. With a pH ranging from 6.0 to 8.0, Positas soils are slightly acidic."
Suther
"Weathered from metamorphic rock, Suther is a gravelly Loam found on the side slopes of mountains underlain by sandstone and shale. Primarily located between 500-3000 feet in elevation, Suther soils are only found in the geographic locations associated with great Cabernet Sauvignon. The granular structure and shallow nature of Suther soils provide little water retention and minimal biologic activity, while increased sun and wind exposures ensure low vigor, small berry formation, and uniformity in ripeness. Suther soils tend to nutrient deficient, lacking in nitrogen, phosphorus, and boron. The reddish nature is indicative of oxidized soils that are high in iron content. With a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.0, Suther soils are moderately acidic."
Clough
"Clough series are moderately well to somewhat poorly drained, very slowly permeable soils that occur on old terraces formed in gravelly alluvium that is high in quartz and cherts derived mostly from conglomerates and other sedimentary rocks. Slopes are gently undulating. Mean annual rainfall is 30 to 40 inches and mean annual temperature is about 60 degrees F."