Surh Luchtel

Surh Luchtel wines are the result of collaboration between two longtime friends Don Surh and Gary Luchtel.  The two have been making wine together since 1992, with grapes obtained from various vineyards of Napa, Sonoma, Monterey and Mendocino counties. Over the years, they have made Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Sangiovese and Chardonnay. The 1999 vintage was the first commercial year in which the winery made 1100 total cases of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a Bordeaux blend called Mosaique, and a Napa Valley Zinfandel. Production is small, with the focus on quality, yielding approximately 3000 cases a year.

For each varietal, Surh Luchtel employs a combination of traditional winemaking practices along with new world techniques in order to fully express the vineyard, the vintage and the grape.  For its hillside Cabernets that may mean a long cold soak, high fermentation and then extended maceration totaling close to 50 days in the tank. Pinot Noirs on the other hand, usually see small fermentors, less vigorous temperature and very little racking.