Pinot Gris

Founding winemaker Milla Handley was the first woman in the US to start a wine label with her own name. Now she’s passed the torch to her daughter Lulu, who runs the winery, and head winemaker Randy Schock, who is putting his spin on Handley’s award-winning, environmentally sustainable wines.

Pinot Gris — it’s the same grape as the Italian Pinot Grigio, but with a little French flair. Pinot Gris from the Alsace region of France tends to be fuller-bodied than its Italian counterpart; rich with a little bit of spice. Handley is known for minimal-intervention, food-friendly wines, and particularly for their California spin on Alsation white wines. Head winemaker Randy calls this wine, “Golden Sun Drops” — think peach and apple blossom aromas with notes of guava, stone fruit, and bright acidity.

The rolling hills on the can reflect the unique topography of Anderson Valley and the bright tropical flavors of this wine. Viva la matriarchy!

Aged gouda, lemon chicken, or mac and cheese.

Grapes were all pressed whole cluster to avoid any blush from the skin of the grapes. Settled for two days in stainless and racked to stainless steel tank to begin fermentation. Made in the Handley house style for aromatic whites, one third fermented in stainless steel tank, and two thirds of blend is later racked to barrels and large ovals where contact with neutral oak helps the wine to breathe.

The contact with wood and exposure to oxygen helps to clarify the wine naturally and makes the wine warmer and rounder on the palate. Aged for 4 months in Oak and one third stirred on lees but avoiding any malolactic fermentation. Again, this helps to create rounder mouthfeel but preserves fresh fruit character. Made with all organic nutrients and no animal derived products used in the production of this wine.

This savory wine shows notes of poached pears, apple blossoms, and tarragon. Both round and full yet finishing crisp and mouthwatering.