2022 Hendry Albarino, Napa Valley, California (750ml)   

About the Icons
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George Hendry and his family have been growing grapes on their 203-acre farm located at the foot of Mt. Veeder (just northwest of the city of Napa) for over 80 years. A portion of Hendry Ranch sits on some of the earliest vineyards planted in Napa, dating back to 1859. The site has seen a wide range of ups-and-downs, from Phylloxera devastating the vines in the late 1800s to the onset of Prohibition in 1920.

The Hendry family began making wine in 1992 (prior to that, they sold their grapes to other winemakers), and now make Hendry wines solely from estate-grown fruit. The maritime microclimate lends itself well to over a dozen grape varietals, especially Albariño, which is native to the cool and rainy border region of northwest Spain and northern Portugal, where it is known as Alvarinho.

The Albariño grapes comprising this wine come from 3 different blocks. All are blanketed by morning fog and cool afternoon breezes, creating a “transitional” climate between the cool Carneros region and the warmer Napa Valley regions on either side of the benchland vineyards. One of the blocks is located in a sunnier area of the vineyard and is harvested a few days earlier than the grapes in the two cooler blocks. The grapes are whole-cluster pressed, contributing phenolics to the wine, while preserving Albariño’s aromatics. The must is then combined in stainless steel tanks and cool fermented at 56°F - 59°F. The cool fermentation preserves the aromatics and flavors of the Albariño grape.

Pale straw with a hint of green. Vibrant aromatics of fresh fruit with a floral note. Bright acidity, flavors of underripe yellow peach and apricot, lemon zest, and a touch of lime pith make this wine a refreshing drink on its own or a great accompaniment to light, yet flavorful food dishes.