2021 Hollow Wines Zuma Orange

Region: California 

Grapes: 65% Riesling, 35% Chenin Blanc

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Riesling regeneratively farmed, 5 day cold soak to press; organic Chenin blanc was de-stemmed and fermented on skins for 7 days before being pressed into a separate stainless tank where it completed primary fermentation. After racking both the Riesling and Chenin off their primary gross lees, they were blended into one tank and racked into Flex Tank Eggs for maturation and elevage; vegan; bottled unfined/unfiltered w/ minimal added So2; 11.1% ABV

Winemaker: Quinn Hobbs

Hollow Wines is a newish natty California project from Woodson “Quinn” Hobbs, who grew up in Portola Valley, with his Aussie wife Alison and their daughter Mina. They currently live in LA but make the wine in Gilroy, sourcing fruit from organic vineyards up and down the state.  Quinn not only has the Midas touch with wine, he's also getting his PhD in global leadership and change so that he can help other wineries produce low-carbon wine that’s better for the planet and the people.  To that end, Hobbs requires fruit sources to be organic. If you use Roundup anywhere on the property, it's a firm no-go. “Roundup is a disaster for this planet,” he says. He considers himself a practitioner of No B.S. winemaking, which he equates to minimal intervention and using wild yeast with no adds other than some sulfur. Some might call it natural winemaking, but he prefers to say “simply good wine making.”

We love the whole Hollow lineup, but this easy-drinking, beginner orange wine is pretty cool.  Unctuous and stone fruity, then a hit of tropical fruit, melon and orange, all of which coat the palate nicely. There is surprising richness in the form of ripe fruit that adds some weight to the experience.  And acid lovers rejoice, here's a skin contact white wine with high acid and low VA!  The acid from the Chenin blanc perfectly matches the richness from the Rieslings apricrot notes, while conjuring up notes of Jasmine in this completely crushable 11% wine.  A fantastic summer refresher that will make everyone happy.