In order to understand the unique qualities and benefits of our terroir we initiated ongoing detailed studies of surface and sub-surface soils led by world-renowned terroir consultant Pedro Parra. As of year-end 2019, we have excavated fifty-five 2- to 3-meter-deep pits to better understand the intricate variation, fracture patterns, drainage, sub-soil composition and deep root patterns of our vines. According to Pedro, “Ramiiisol’s terroir is large to medium decomposed red-oxidized gneiss. The terroir varies from decomposed red alterite rock to superficial very stony gneiss. The differences give the site great variability to explore different wines.” The Ramiiisol mother rock, granite, is “one of the 5 most important families of rock from which all of the great wines in the world come.”
To extend the “ground truth” of our pits over the entirety of our vineyards and their surrounds we’ve also conducted electro-conductivity/geophysical studies interpreted by Pedro. These studies have significantly enhanced our knowledge of the subtle differences within our vineyards. These differences correlate to nuances of what the vines and grapes have been telling us and help us with the timing of each area’s harvest, our work in the winery, and with planning future adjustments to our vineyards to further enhance quality.
