Winemaker Notes
The wine shows pale lemon in the glass, and after a good swirl, it has intense aromas of honeysuckle, Sorrento lemon (think Limoncello), and macerated cherry. There are also subtle notes of summer melon and white peach – we're basically talking about a stroll through a summer farmer's market here, folks. On the palate the intense fruits are layered with lemon curd, beeswax, and a hint of salinity. There is a zippy acidity on the front of the palate, keeping it super fresh and lively, and some fleshiness on the middle to back palate to add some body to the wine.
This will pair well with a salad of spring greens like English peas, mint, Little Gems and Italian parsley, or with some fresh oysters.
Made from red wine grapes, White Pinots are generally richer and more golden than most white wines, with great viscosity and a textured mouthfeel. In production, only a fraction of the juice is pressed out, which avoids releasing tannins and color. Flavors of apple, pear, and melon fruit are common, as well as baking spice and ginger. The idea is old in Champagne, where Blancs de Noirs ("white from black") have long been made from Pinots Noir and Pinot Meunier, but as a still wine, the style is relatively new.
Surrounded by redwood forests and often blanketed in chilly, ocean fog, the Anderson Valley is one of California’s most picturesque appellations. During the growing season, moist, cool, late afternoon air flows in from the Pacific Ocean along the Navarro River and over the valley's golden, oak-studded hills. High and low temperatures can vary as much as 40 or 50 degrees within a single day, allowing for slow and gentle ripening of grapes, which will in turn create elegantly balanced wines.
The Anderson Valley is best known for Pinot Noir made in a range of styles from delicate and floral to powerful and concentrated. Chardonnay also shines here, and both varieties are often utilized for the production of some of California’s best traditional method sparkling wines. The region also draws inspiration from Alsace and produces excellent Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris.