2019 Clesi Dolcetto

About 2019 Clesi Dolcetto:

Dolcetto was the first wine Clesi winery ever made, beginning with the 2004 vintage. This marks their tenth vintage. The “little sweet one” produces dry wines from relatively large berries and clusters. An adorable contradiction.

Elegant fruit and complementary structure, this wine is easy to drink. Often a red wine drinkers go-to for food pairing with lighter dishes, like fish and poultry.

Tasting Notes:

Low acidity with good tannin structure and a rounded palate. Find notes of black cherry, violets, licorice root and fig jam. This wine spent 14 months in oak—10% new French oak with the remainder neutral French oak.

Growing Notes:

This northern Italian grape from the Piedmont region is planted on the less desirable hillside aspects. The Nebbiolo grape garners the attention from this region, but the locals sip on Dolcetto.

As a viticulturist, Clesi Wines owner, Chris, immediately noted the similarities in climate and soils between parts of Italy and California and he naturally began planting old world varietals on the Central Coast, the results of which are beautiful food-focused wines that are iconic, restrained and elegant.  The winery is family-friendly and dog-friendly.

Winemaking Notes:

The “little sweet one” produces dry wines from relatively large berries and clusters. An adorable contradiction.

Barrel Program:

This wine spent 14 months in oak—10% new French oak with the remainder neutral French oak.

About The Winery:

Like the Sicilian trinacria stamped on the label, the inspiration behind Clesi is a symbolic trifecta. Equal parts legacy, curiosity and culture, winemaker Chris Ferrara brings his Sicilian-American farming roots, love of eccentric varietals and reverence for Italian culture into his winemaking process.

Donning the surname of the winemaker’s great, great grandmother Anna Clesi Ferrara, Clesi’s wines are deeply influenced by Chris’ extensive travels throughout Italy’s wine regions. As a viticulturist, Chris immediately noted the similarities in climate and soils between parts of Italy and California and he naturally began planting old world varietals on the Central Coast, the results of which are beautiful food-focused wines that are iconic, restrained and elegant.

Tucked in between the rolling hills of the Templeton Gap AVA and surrounded by vegetable gardens and roaming chickens, Clesi Winery is where the magic happens. After more than a decade in San Luis Obispo, Adrienne and Chris Ferrara of Clesi bought 30 acres in 2015 to return to the Templeton AVA. The winery and tasting room were built and completed in May of 2017.

The property is more than just a winery and vineyard. Adrienne keeps sheep and chickens.  Chris tends to an organic garden and greenhouse that are more than an acre of production.  The winery is family-friendly and dog-friendly.