Michael McCay, owner of McCay Cellars, says he has a simple goal: to make wine with a sense of presence and character that expresses the trueness of the vineyard. Unlike many of his colleagues in Lodi who are multigenerational farmers, Michael is a relative newcomer. He has only farmed there for 35 years. He came to Lodi in the early 1980s, planted a vineyard, started making wine in 1994, and launched the McCay Cellars label in 2007.
“I believe that Lodi, California has the perfect climate for Zinfandel,” Michael says. “This region has beautiful heat in the summer, and evenings that are cool with an average of 57 degrees at nighttime: perfect for Zinfandel.”
Michael says his winemaking approach is hands-on in the vineyard and hands-off in the winery. Currently, he works with seven different Zinfandel vineyards, the oldest dating back to 1915. The vineyards are scattered across Lodi from west to east, all with their own unique microclimates and individual characteristics. “I look for certain and unique flavor profiles out of particular vineyards,” Michael says. “It’s all about the terroir.” The ultimate goal is to create the perfect balance between the vine and the fruit. Michael also believes in the region’s potential for Grenache, which presents “the prettiness of a Pinot Noir with spice and bright fruit characteristics.” The fruit for the 2011 McCay Cellars Lodi Grenache was sourced from Abba Vineyard. “The Abbas are fantastic, meticulous farmers,” Michael explains. “They grow for quality, not quantity. They represent the state-of-the-art for Lodi.”
In the cellar, his focus turns to native fermentation, allowing the juice to develop on its own. “Through the practice of native fermentation, the terroir of the vineyard has a better chance of showing off its true characteristics,” Michael explains.
McCay Cellars takes great pride in remaining true to its vineyards, and producing high quality wines that express their terroir.
WHAT TO BUY
’12 Rosé – $18
Dry, strawberry, stone peach, ruby red grapefruit
’11 Grenache – $32
Red fruit, spice, licorice, black pepper, cherry, cola
’10 TruLux Zinfandel – $32
Blackberry, raspberry, hints of cocoa
SPECIAL NOTES
Barrel tastings, wine club discounts, sustainable farming practices, snacks available, private tastings by appointment
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Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
