2018 Unti Vermentino

Region: Dry Creek Valley < Sonoma < California
Grapes: Riesling
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming; silty clay loam soil; fermented and aged in stainless steel; minimal added SO2; 13.7% ABV
Winemaker: Mick Unti

I’ve known Mick Unti forever.  He’s one of the old-school guys who’s been farming organically and making wine in a very low-intervention way from the start.  He doesn’t identify as a “natural” winemaker – for him, this is just the only way to make wine.  100% Vermentino from Mick’s original planting in 2004, as well as a couple of small vineyard blocks grafted in 2010 and 2016. Mick says that when he planted Vermentino in 2004, he had no idea it would perform so well in Dry Creek Valley. And it does over deliver - expressive floral and appley fruit with intense minerality and searing acidity. Despite the warm climate in Dry Creek Valley, Mick manages to keep all of the elements in check, so this wine feels very fresh and energetic, despite a slightly higher ABV than we normally go for. It’s an honest and delicious reflection of the vintage.