LaCrema is best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, wines which draw their excellent flavor from the cool growing conditions of the Sonoma Coast.  We caught up with La Crema enologist and fellow cyclist Andrew Barlow to ask him a few questions about winemaking and find out a little more about what goes into a great bottle of La Crema wine.

NCV: How long have you been at LaCrema?
AB: Since August 2005
NCV: What exactly is an enologist? What role do you play in the process of grape to glass?
AB: This is a technical name for a winemaker with a strong focus on the analytical and laboratory side of winemaking . At La Crema, however, we're focused on having all the winemakers out in the vineyards as much as possible.  This allows us to follow the ripening process and ensure that we are ahead of the ball at all times, particularly with pruning in the winter months.
NCV: What was your role in the crafting of the summer wines LaCrema put out this season?
AB: There are 4 winemakers here at La Crema and we all contribute from vineyard to winery on pretty much all aspects of the wine making procedure. We rarely move forward on wine or tasting decisions until we are unanimous as a team.  One of my responsibilities is to put together blends and set up stability trails. From these tasting sessions we decide on the wine style that will shape each individual wine.
NCV:  What really makes the summer wines significant?  Is there a big difference between a summer wine and the other wines that LaCrema makes year round?
AB: Usually wines that are served cold display fresh fruit and full aromas. All wines we make at LaCrema are made with cuisine in mind and we focus on the natural acidity in the grapes.  Harvest decisions are made based on retaining the optimum fruit content when we pick for that year, and all grapes are harvested in an approximate 2 month period.  Although the grapes are picked around the same time, the summer wines are released when it is warm because of the way they are served, and based on the food with which they are paired.
NCV: LaCrema continues to sponsor local athletic events like Vineman, and now NorCal Velo Women's Cycling Team.  You must not be the only athlete working at La Crema?
AB: Our head wine maker, Melissa Stackhouse, is a keen cyclist. Several other members of our wine making team have competed in Vineman - both half and full Ironman distances.  La Crema really enjoys supporting these events and being involved with development in sports, particularly in conjunction with Norcal Bike Sport and Jim Keene's long-term support of women's cycling.
NCV: You mentioned that harvest is coming up, and I know its a very busy time for the wineries. Is there anything cyclists can do to make it easier on the grape haulers or winery workers?
AB: Try to keep right and listen for the trucks. If you anticipate a truck coming up behind, pull over for a few seconds to allow them to pass, particularly on roads with no bike lane.
NVC: The women on NorCal Velo know they can always enjoy a glass of La Crema wine at their next team meeting, but where should we direct our newsletter readers, who are probably now looking forward to tasting these handcrafted wines?
AB: The winery itself is not open to the public, but they should definitely visit our new tasting room in Healdsburg!

Thank you Andrew! 

-NCV