Rhyolite Granite Volcanic Soils

Many of the LDV Winery wines are called "Rhyolite." Why is this on our labels? Soils are a big component of the wine's taste and characteristics. Our vines are reaching maturity, and their roots are deepening into the rock layer composed of Rhyolite granite. They are starting to pick up the nuances that the soils bring to the wine's flavor. A big component of LDV Winery's soils is called Rhyolite. It was formed in the Chiricahua Mountains millions of years ago by volcanic activity. Rhyolite also appears when the land was covered by an ocean, and our area was.

Rhyolite granite comes off the mountain and plants itself in the vineyard. It is very unique and rare. We are a rare site in Arizona for this type of granite soils. When you break open a granite rock, the inside is bright purple with quartz-like material. That component breaks down over time, infusing our grapes with interesting characteristics. The vines are starting to develop some mineral qualities we have not noticed before. When we put Rhyolite on the label of one of our Viognier, Grenache, Syrah, or Petite Sirah wines, it is because we believe that the Rhyolite characteristics are evident, and it is our way of celebrating our special place.