/tilth/ noun: the state of aggregation of a soil especially in relation to its suitability for crop growth
“Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other arts will follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization.”
— Daniel Webster
The defining element of our portfolio is the fruit we source – and the relationships that flow from our connection to the land. We’ve learned that vineyards and cultivated lands have a spirit and voice all their own – and our purpose is to see and to listen – and through those efforts find the vines and grapes that are uplifted through the intention and the labor of passionate growers that tend to the earth itself…
—and that’s TILTH.
We choose our grapes based on what we feel would be a true lens through which we view California’s vast and diverse agriculture. Every year our picking decisions are based on multiple factors; a combination of weather, location, acidity, fruit development, and an overall authenticity in the fruit that has to be tasted to describe. That essence supersedes all of the agronomy that we use as a supporting role in this decision, and defines the potential of each harvest, every year. There is no formula, just a vision that varies from vintage to vintage.
Simplicity is key in our cellar. Most of the work has already been done by the time the fruit arrives at the winery. During fermentation decisions are made on a daily basis on whether to punch down or pump over in an effort to guide the grapes through a healthy fermentation with as little intervention as possible. We age every wine in oak barrels, some new, but mostly old barrels seasoned by time that allow for a more authentic expression of the sites we work. The wines are left to develop with patience and trust, with minimal racking over the course of one to two winters before bottling.
