Refugio skyrocketed to prominence among our Operatives when we featured them earlier this year. Their Petite Sirah was a smash hit. Today, we’re proud to welcome them back, with the release of their gorgeous 2017 Santa Ynez Valley Malvasia Bianca. This could be your Thanksgiving appetizer course wine - or a great Tuesday night sipper.

In the glass, the wine looks delicate, with its pale straw color appearing like white gold. The nose is very fragrant with notes of fresh, juicy, apricot leaping out of the glass. Floral gardenia and jasmine aromas are present also, with melon and mango to back it up. Melon becomes a dominant note with honeydew coming immediately to mind. Lychee and guava are on the scene as well with floral aspects of honeysuckle and fresh rose bringing up the rear. This wine is particularly delightful because it is packed with fruit and floral notes, and clearly could have been made into a sweet wine, but winemaker Ryan Deovlet instead provides us with a refreshing, bone-dry wine instead. Perfect as an aperitif with an amuse-bouche of cantaloupe with a chiffonade of shiso, drizzled with an elderflower-infused simple syrup.

About Malvasia Bianca:

Malvasia Bianca - also known as White Malvasia is a member of the Malvasia family of grapes. Malvasia Bianca is often likened to Muscat. Blanc Malvasia Bianca is used to produce dry, sweet, sparkling and specialty wines.

Malvasia is one of Italy’s most widely planted grapes, though it has its origins in ancient Greece. Malvasia Bianca, a white grape, is the most common variety. White Malvasia grapes make smooth and silky wine, with aromatic notes of tropical fruits. The wine can be dry or sweet. In central Italy, Malvasia Bianca is often blended to both red and white wines, as a way to enhance body and flavor.

For a glimpse into Refugio Ranch, its people, and their philosophy, please view this wonderful video:

The Refugio Ranch Story from Refugio Ranch on Vimeo.

The Santa Ynez Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area), which was designated in 1983, covers more than 75,000 acres in the broader Santa Barbara County. The area has since been sub-divided into four separate sub-appellations: Sta. Rita Hills, Happy Canyon, Ballard Canyon, and the Los Olivos District. The Santa Ynez AVA contains a diversity of soil and climate types which contribute, in turn, to a great diversity of grape varietal and wine styles. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the most-planted grape here, but Bordeaux and Rhône varieties do particularly well here.