“We cannot command nature except by obeying her.” This is the mantra of Force of Nature, a line of wines from Rob Murray Vineyards that centers its wine concepts around natural and mythical forces of nature.
From the inside out, these wines imbue nature and the wrath of which it is capable. The white wines are the mythical forces of nature such as the kraken for the pinot gris or the dragon for the chardonnay. The reds are the natural forces of nature, such as wind for the zinfandel or water for the tempranillo.
Label artwork for the Force of Nature Cabernet Sauvignon
These forces are incorporated into the labels’ artwork, making it clear that these wines are forces to be reckoned with. The water on the tempranillo is shown in the form of a tidal wave tearing an entire city to shreds; the dragon on the pinot gris toppling over the spire of a cathedral.
It’s not just the labeling, but also the terroir and vineyard maintenance that the concept of a connection to nature permeates. The vineyards from which the grapes are picked vary from the red wines to the whites, and they are cared for in their own unique way, lending in turn a different flavor profile to each wine.
The Reds
The vineyard that the red wines come from (Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Red Blend), for instance, is called Mossfire Ranch and is located in the foothills of Paso Robles. This is a cool, dry vineyard and is only lightly watered by drip irrigation. Indigenous grass grows throughout the lanes of the vineyard, and the vineyard is also surrounded by trees – a natural, unfettered ecosystem for the grapes to flourish. A cool climate allows the grapes to maintain their acidity while the indigenous grass aids in revitalizing the soil, allowing for a healthier grape.
Wind is portrayed as a tornado for the Zinfandel.
The Whites
The white wines of Force Of Nature come from a vineyard known as Murmur Ranch in the southern area of the Santa Maria Valley. The varietals that were planted there, pinot gris and chardonnay, are indigenous to the Rhone and Burgundy regions of France, and command specific growing conditions in order to thrive. With this in mind, founder Rob Murray planned the layout of the vineyard in 2007 around the terroir, in order to command nature by obeying her.
By utilizing the terroir, ie the fog, wind, and cool days; Murray is able to attain a balance of fruit, minerality, and acidity in the grapes. Additionally, the alternating hills and sandy soils require the grapes to be hand-picked, ensuring that only the best grapes are chosen.
A bit deceiving in a way – the wine is much softer than the artwork suggests.
The result is a pair of delicate, thoughtfully crafted white wines that are suitable for the most discerning of palates. The chardonnay is 50% oak barrel fermented and 50% steel fermented, and exhibits notes of apricot, melon, and minerality while the pinot gris is redolent of mango, lemon, and honey.
Nature always plays a key role in winemaking, but Rob Murray takes it a step further by encompassing all facets of his wine by his concept. These wines are all available at our landmark store as well as on our website. Add a Force of Nature to your wine cellar today!
