Why Albariño? Albariño has been known to produce outstanding wines in the cool, rainy climate of Galicia, in Northwest Spain. We first planted it in our Sonoma Coast vineyard, but that proved too cold for ripening even a cool-climate variety like this. After four years, we gave up and grafted the budwood from those vines onto our slightly warmer Russian River Valley estate. We are very excited that it is now thriving in the Don Miguel Vineyard!

Named after the late patriarch of the Torres family, this vineyard is located in the Green Valley — the coolest, foggiest region of the Russian River Valley, only ten miles from the Pacific. The Albariño is trained in a cordon style with alternating spurs (we call them alligator teeth), which adds width to the fruit zone and provides optimum air flow and light.

The grapes were harvested September 2-5, gently whole-cluster pressed and fermented in stainless steel, with our own indigenous yeast. After the primary fermentation, the wine rested on the lees until bottled, in May 2021. This vintage exhibits bright aromas of honeysuckle and star jasmine, Asian pear and stone fruit like apricot and white peach. The palate displays its classic minerality reminiscent of wet stones and it is crisp and lively, savory and with bright acidity – but also a note of sunshine from California! I would recommend serving it at 45°- 48° F with raw or grilled seafood, smoked salmon, sushi and Asian cuisine — and for sure, with tapas!