2021 I. Brand & Family "Vista Verde Vineyard" Arneis, Paicines, San Benito County, Central Coast, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

Vista Verde is planted on the benchlands and hills East of the Tres Pinos Creek bed. The small, West facing block of Arneis is grown at about 800 feet of elevation in gravelly soils with calcareous fractures. With warm, sunny days and cool nights, the area is particularly well adapted to textured, aromatic southern European whites. Vista Verde is a certified sustainable vineyard.

Winemaking: Lightly whole cluster pressed to tank, cold settled and barrel fermented with naturally occurring yeasts. We arrested malic when we thought the flavors and textures were right and allowed the wine to rest on lees without stirring for another six months. Texturally and aromatically reminiscent of the Roero, with the patina of clean California sunshine. Sterile filtered.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Ian and Heather Brand founded I Brand Family Wines in Central Coast California in 2008. Ian’s first winery job was with Bonny Doon Winery; he then went to work for Big Basin Vineyards for four years before he and Heather decided to begin their own project. I Brand uses organic and sustainable farming practices, annually producing 11,000 cases from 20+ year old vines. Ian devotes much time to selecting vineyard sites with shallow, rocky soils and proper varietal match with soil and climate in the often-overlooked Monterey Bay area, which has a plethora of underappreciated vineyards.
I Brand strives to produce wines filed with character from remote, rough around the edges vineyards with minimal interference in order to allow their wine’s idiosyncrasies shine.