This is from the same wonderful vineyard as our Lopez Red, Zinfandel planted in 1918.

We harvested this fruit early in harvest, only a few days after the Palomino, always with the intention of making white wine— or at least, a light and pale rosé. I am convinced that in warm regions like this, Blanc de Noir wines are the perfect way to make light and refreshing wines. Even warm-climate white varieties are not necessary.

The fruit was foot-stomped then pressed immediately, using our new Chiara method; then fermented and aged in a stainless steel tank. It is somewhat dark in color in spite of only minutes of skin-contact— but light and very playful in the mouth. It is completely dry; utterly charming and serious at once. Exuberant but disciplined.

We made 59 cases of this wine.