Vollendet Gruner Veltliner 2016
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As an exceptionally food friendly wine, Vollendet pairs well with a variety of foods, from raw oysters, sashimi and fish tartars, to Vietnamese black cod steamed in banana leaves and spicy Thai curries. Fresh cheeses, leafy greens, dishes with herbs and, of course, Wiener Schnitzel are excellent pairings as well.
When Antonia de Heinrich set out to bring this distinctive varietal from her homeland to the US, she envisioned a wine that rightfully honored her heritage. What she created was a Gruner as dry as the Austrian wit, with a citrus acidity as vibrant as their enthusiasm, and a unique minerality that fully captures their grit and determination. Because even though Vollendet translates to “perfect,” it wasn’t without Antonia’s own hard work and perseverance.
Finally, an American Gruner Veltliner made in the Austrian tradition. Proof you can achieve anything, if you simply put your mind to it.
Fun to say and delightfully easy to drink, Grüner Veltliner calls Austria its homeland. While some easily quaffable Grüners come in a one-liter—a convenient size—many high caliber single vineyard bottlings can benefit from cellar aging. Somm Secret—About 75% of the world’s Grüner Veltliner comes from Austria but the variety is gaining ground in other countries, namely Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the United States.
A geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller sub-appellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions.
Monterey’s coastal side, where the cooling ocean fog allows grapes to develop a perfect sugar-acid balance, excels in the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Warmer, inland subzones are home to fleshy, concentrated and full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, covering about 40% of vineyard acreage, is the most widely planted grape in all of Monterey County.