Winemaker Notes
Produced from unique clones of vines originally planted by Jacob Gundlach in 1858, there’s nothing quite like this Gewürztraminer. Aromatics jump from the glass in equal parts fruit and spice, with standout notes of lychee and white pepper. Fermented with zero residual sugar, this Gewürztraminer is bone dry and offers racy flavors of white pepper and Australian lime (think higher acid, more herbal than your traditional lime).
While it may be hard to say, this wine is easy to love, especially when paired with fresh and spicy dishes like tuna poke or linguini and clams with red chili flakes.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Produced from clones of vines originally plated in 1858, this varietally correct Gewurztraminer offers a luscious mouthfeel and flavors of lychee and pear nectar with a tincture of dill and rosemary. Lime bitters linger for a long time on the finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Rose petals, lychee and pink grapefruit waft up from the glass in an aromatic stream before tangy acidity powers the delicious, dry and (for Gewurz) restrained flavors that light up the palate. This wine is perfect to serve any time you might have chosen Sauvignon Blanc instead.
Gewürztraminer, an expressive and aromatically distinctive white grape variety, is considered a noble variety in the Alsace region of France, and produces wonderful wines in the mountainous Alto Adige region of NE Italy. Generally this grape grows well in cooler regions and its natural intensity makes it a great ally for flavorful cuisine such as Indian, Middle Eastern or Moroccan. Somm Secret—Because of a charming perfume and tendency towards slight sweetness, Gewürztraminer makes for an excellent gateway wine for those who love sweet wines but want to venture into the realm of drier whites.
A vast appellation covering Sonoma County’s Pacific coastline, the Sonoma Coast AVA runs all the way from the Mendocino County border, south to the San Pablo Bay. The region can actually be divided into two sections—the actual coastal vineyards, marked by marine soils, cool temperatures and saline ocean breezes—and the warmer, drier vineyards further inland, which are still heavily influenced by the Pacific but not quite with same intensity.
Contained within the appellation are the much smaller Fort Ross-Seaview and Petaluma Gap AVAs.
The Sonoma Coast is highly regarded for elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and, increasingly, cool-climate Syrah. The wines have high acidity, moderate alcohol, firm tannin, and balanced ripeness.