Substrata is a harmonious blend of our cold-hardy white grape varieties - a tapestry of flavor that embodies our winegrowing team's passion for translating our landscape into the bottle and showcasing the potential of cold-hardy hybrid grapes.
This wine is co-fermented in neutral oak barrels, where time and nature collaborate to transform raw potential into liquid brilliance. The completion of spontaneous malolactic fermentation adds a layer of depth and complexity. But what truly sets Substrata apart is the delicate dance of battonage.
Battonage, a technique involving the regular stirring of the lees, makes Substrata quite distinct from our other white wines. For 3.5 months, this process unfurls within the oak vessels, nurturing the wine's evolution. Through battonage, the flavors meld and mature, giving Substrata a light silkiness, a luxurious texture that lingers on the tongue.
Substrata is more than just a wine; it's a sensory journey that pays homage to the land from which it originates and the hands that nurture it.
Savor its story—one that continues to evolve with every taste.
Lemon peel, lemon sorbet or a fluffy custard; coconut marshmallow; light butterscotch; fresh mint leaf; honey; hay
The Story
Over 400 million years ago, the ancient Iapetus Ocean covered present-day Lake Champlain. Since then, powerful geologic forces have shaped the landscape we've come to work and understand as winegrowers. Our grapes grow amidst the history of these ancient influences, but we also recognize the equally subtle impact our own hearts and hands have in raising wine. Iapetus represents a strong sense of place rooted in respect for the land, while honoring minimalism in the winery. Iapetus was created to bring a unique perspective to our VT wines. In choosing the name Iapetus, we represent not only the physical environment of the Lake Champlain Valley, butour presence a midstt his place. Water has longbeen an integral part of this landscape, and Iapetus encompasses both geological and personal elements we endeavor to express in wine.
Aroma notes of lemon cream, coconut, and honeydew melon. oak plays a supporting role, bringing an underpinning of melted butter & vanilla
Body lean bodied with a smoothness from start to finish; think jazz á la Miles Davis Taste echoes of that tropical coconut and warm butter, followed by a singing zing of tart lemon and mineral pithiness
Serve optimum serving temperature is 50-52F. for a slightly richer profile, allow the glass or bottle to warm
We planted our first block of Louise Swensonat our McCabe’s Brook Vineyard in 2006. The vines are trained to a hi-wire cordon system on 10’x8’ spacing. A slightly western aspect and north-south row orientation allow for maximum sunlight and exposure to prevailing winds. Soils are deep, well drained, sandy/stony loams formed in glacial till derived from limestone, calcareous shale, schist, and quartzite. This vineyard is also the site for trials with organic and biodynamic philosophies. Iapetus wines are spontaneously fermented, unfined, and unfiltered.
This wine is a blend of two of our white grape varieties, Louise Swenson and Itasca. After destemming and gentle crushing, the Louise began fermentation in stainless steel and the Itasca fermented in neutral Hungarian oak barrels. After several weeks, the two were blended and racked back into barrel for the remainder of fermentation and aging. The wine underwent spontaneous malolactic fermentation and aged sur lie, with battonage performed weekly for the first three months.
