Luna Vineyards Freakout White Wine 2006

Looking to challenge the traditional ways of Friuli winemaking on the Italian-Slovenian border, maverick Italian winemakers began experimenting with new styles of winemaking, creating unique and exciting white wine blends. When Mike Drash, Winemaker for Luna Vineyards in Napa Valley, tasted these exotic white wines, you could say he freaked out. The secret of Freakout is in the innovative winemaking. Each varietal is treated individually, and then married together two months before bottling, to create the ultimate blend.

To promote the aromatics of the wine, the Chardonnay begins fermentation in tanks before moving to French oak barrels. Meanwhile, a small portion of the Sauvignon Blanc is fermented on the skins like a red wine, and punched down twice a day until fermentation is completed. The Pinot Grigio is fermented in stainless steel for a crisp, lively finish. The distinctive Ribolla Gialla from Vare Vineyard in Napa Valley is the only Ribolla Gialla planted in the U.S. It is fermented in small oak barrels and provides the wine weight, texture and minerality.

Treating each varietal separately creates a complex wine with multiple layers of exotic fruit, soft citrus, honey and spice that dance across your senses. Intense aromas of tropical fruit and orange peel combine with rich flavors of dried apricot, spice and toasted nuts to create a lush texture and brisk mouthwatering finish.