2nd place for our entry in the Wine Spectator’s Annual Video Contest
The Spring Mountain District Association’s entry in The Wine Spectator’s 19th Annual Video Contest was awarded second place, in results announced on September 24. Videographer Evan Roscoe traveled up through the Spring Mountain District, noting elevation and steepness of slopes (and degrees Brix) as he chatted with Carolyn Butler of Juslyn, Rebecca Fogg of Peacock Vineyards, Justin Moody and Kristine Aadland of Aadland-Moody, Michaela Murphy of Stony Hill, Stu & Charles Smith of Smith-Madrone, Matt Rapp at Sherwin Vineyards, Enrique Mora of Barnett Vineyards and Steve Pride of Pride Mountain. Titled “Bacchus Loves Hills (Bacchus Amat Colles),” Roscoe’s short film included lively piano music as he hiked up 2,190 feet through the mountainous terrain of this growing region, which was founded in 1993 and consists of approximately 8,600 acres on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains above St. Helena. The appellation is characterized by steep, forested hillsides and diverse volcanic and sedimentary soils. “There are few things better than spending a couple days hiking around the vineyards of Spring Mountain. The only thing I would change is not wearing fleece lined clothing during a heat wave,” Roscoe said.
“Bacchus amat colles” is a Latin phrase meaning “Bacchus loves the hills.” It refers to the ancient Italian wisdom that hillside vineyards, despite being more challenging to cultivate, produce higher-quality grapes with smaller berries and intense flavor due to vine stress and greater sun exposure. The adage is attributed to ancient Romans and recognizes the historical importance of hilly terrains for superior winemaking. In Roman mythology, Bacchus is the god of wine, known for his cultivation of vines and the intoxicating pleasures of wine; “colles” is the Latin word for hills.
Watch the video:
