Cultivar: Mencia
Appearance
A deep purple or vivid maroon color with some transparency
Origin
Portugal and northern Spain
Tasting Notes
Sour cherry, pomegranate, blackberry, black licorice, and crushed gravel
Location at Threemile Vineyard: block B & D
Notes from Viticulturist
This cultivar caught Joe’s eye by accident as it continuously appeared in his exploration of Spanish growing regions. Upon arrival at Threemile, the vine seemed to want to be planted more than any other cultivar, yet it was also one of the hardest vines to source. Emerging from micro-shoot propagation, this cultivar required an extra year of development before it could bear harvestable fruit. At four years in the ground by 2022, the Mencia has exploded with growth.
This highly sought after grape has piqued the interest of local winemakers, intriguing them to work with this unfamiliar cultivar. Planted in both blocks B and D, Joe is observing which block will yield more success for these vines over time.