2023 Mallea Grenache Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

100% Grenache Blanc from Coteaux de Clair Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. This 2-acre site has been farmed organically since being planted in 2011. The grapes were whole-cluster direct pressed to stainless steel tank for fermentation with native yeasts. The wine was matured for 4 months in stainless steel before bottling, resulting in a crisp and focused style of Grenache Blanc.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Mallea is a collaboration between viticulturist Erik Mallea (director of viticulture at Sanford & Benedict and a co-founder of Willett-Mallea Farming) and winemaker Justin Willett (of Tyler Winery and Lieu-Dit Winery). After working together in various capacities for over a decade, Erik and Justin have started this exciting new project to highlight Santa Barbara County’s potential with Rhône grape varieties. They are farming four small vineyard sites clustered around Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara. The initial release features three wines: a Grenache Blanc, Grenache Rosé, and a GSM red blend, made by Justin Willett at his winery in Lompoc, CA.