Ottavino 'Alfaro Family Vineyard' Gruner Veltliner 2021 Santa Cruz Mountains, California

From former musician-turned-winemaker Shalini Sekhar, whose brand name Ottavino means 'piccolo' in Italian, reflecting her artistic journey from flute performance to winemaking. This Austrian varietal finds an exceptional home at Richard Alfaro's vineyard in Corralitos, just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, where sandy soils and maritime climate create ideal conditions for this food-friendly variety.

Tasting Notes

Brilliant lemon-green in color, displaying intense aromas of white peach, mandarin orange, and spicy ginger. The palate offers subdued hints of grass and moss meeting with fresh apples, while baked citrus and seared lime flavors define the medium-bodied wine. Notes of white nectarine, sweet mint, and lime pith dominate, with flavors of underripe pineapple, white peach, sweet tarragon, and freshly crushed fennel seed creating a wine with bracing acidity and distinctive spice.

Pairs With

Sushi and fresh seafood, roast chicken, grilled asparagus and artichokes, spicy Asian dishes