Winemaker Notes
Representing 158 years of Gewurztraminer making experience on Rhinefarm, the 2016 proves why we've never questioned making this classic, aromatic white wine. Luscious white blossom aromas with nectarine, ginger, and lemon zest greet your senses while the round, plush texture carries bright flavors of tropical guava, honey crisp apple, and a citrusy minerality. Kept fresh and lively by vibrant acidity, this dry-style wine is crisp and refreshing.
This pairs with everything from Asian cuisine, to Thanksgiving turkey, to a sunny afternoon.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
With zero residual sugar, this winning white comes as advertised: dry and delightful in its floral, fresh and fleshy character, vibrantly supported in acidity. Peach, lime and pear flavors find length and purpose along a medium-bodied texture that's just the right amount of plush.
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.