Peter Sissek is probably best known for making a little cult wine they call Pingus: a perennial 99-100 pointer that has become famously pricey and sought-after. And he hasn't taken the success for granted. So in a spirit that I greatly admire, he's decided that for his next project it was time to give a little back to the right people: the growers.
Sissek is a student of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of biodynamic viticulture, and believes firmly in the important role healthy farming plays in winemaking. He knew that the Ribera del Duero had enormous potential, as evidenced by powerful wineries like Vega Sicilia, but knew that in order for that potential to be truly realized, he needed to form a sort of growers cooperative in which farmers were finally paid well for throwing out the chemicals and taking ownership for the quality of their grapes. Many have called the idea Utopian, but it's working. And the wild fruit and floral notes of his 100% Tinto Fino is our proof.
Sigh for Psi!
Psi, named for the 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet, is the latest project from Peter Sisseck. Following on the enormous success of his Ribera del Duero, Pingus, he now is making Psi as his attempt "to find the soul of Ribera del Duero". That might irritate some of the other very soulful winemakers of Ribera del Duero, but if it motivates him to make wine this good, who cares?
