2019 Clesi Malvasia Bianca

About 2019 Clesi Malvasia Bianca:

This wine smells sweet, but proves dry on the palate. The aromas are incredibly floral and pronounced. This wine is perfect to sit and sip, but also pairs well with equally aromatic dishes. Complementary styles of food include Thai and even Mexican dishes.

Tasting Notes:

This exquisite wine boasts incredibly floral and pronounced aromas that are sure to captivate the discerning palate. Jasmine, white peach, apricot aromas are complemented with grapefruit, honeysuckle and lemon flavors on the palate. This wine is crisp with strong minerality in its youth and matures boasting more viscosity and texture.

Growing Notes:

Although rare in the US, Clesi Malvasia grape is widely planted along the Mediterranean, from Portugal to Greece. Like the Mediterranean, the marine-influenced warm days and cool nights of Monterey County are an ideal growing environment.

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:

Malvasia is found in Campania, Pulgia, Calabria and Sicilian regions of Italy. Typically fermented into dry crisp wines and on occasion slightly sweet. 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.

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.