Grapes: 100% Malvasia

Birichino's selection of Malvasia Bianca -an outrageously aromatic Italian variety - was brought over from Calabria in the 1900s, and is now planted in the Oasis Vineyard of southern Monterey County on shale, decomposed granite, and clay. This variety thrives in climates that resemble its ancestral homeland, and the warm, sunny days and cold, fresh nights blanketed in fog from Monterey Bay allow it to preserve freshness and detail. Lower temperatures in the fall slowed ripening a wee bit - a blessing with aromatic varieties. Malvasia is very explicit as to its signaling maturity. These grapes let you know when they are ready: the moment the flavor spectrum includes flowers, sweet citrus, and still a touch of mint. Birichino continue their practice of extended skin contact, dual stream pressing, and extremely cold fermentation in stainless steel for `roughly three weeks.