Onward Wines, Malvasia Bianca 2022, "Skin fermented", Suisun Valley, Napa, CA

Though made with skin-contact wine, the wine was kept in an oxygen-free environment so it remains white. This lets the floral and ripe fruit  aromatics of Malvasia shine, with a bit of added tannins, body, and creaminess.

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: California

APPELLATION (AVA): Suisun Valley

REGION: North Coast

SUBREGION: Solano County

VINEYARD: Capp Inn Ranch

VINTAGE: 2022

GRAPES: 100% Malvasia Bianca

SOIL: Clay loam

PRACTICE: Organic

VINIFICATION: Cold soaked, cool temperature native fermentation. Daily punchdows for three weeks until dry. Neutral oak barrel aging with lees stirring. Some fine, soft lees bottled with the finished wine.

STYLE: Still

COLOR: Pale gold

BODY: Light to medium 

TASTE: Dry

TANNINS:

PRIMARY AROMAS: Magnolia blossoms, fresh melon rind, Valencia orange peel, quince marmalade, fruit crumble

FLAVOR: Silky, plush, orange

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 11.9%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: Serve slightly chilled. This would pair well with Thai food.

ABOUT THE WINEMAKER: Winemaker Faith Armstrong Foster

“Onward Wines are single-vineyard, site-driven wines and Farmstrong Wines are blends, and in both expressions the vineyard sites are very special to me. I am a true believer in personal connection and there is a story behind each vineyard site and how it came to be part of my portfolio. In these stories you will learn more about the people behind these vineyards. I liken my connection to these vineyards to that of one’s favorite shirt or coffee mug or chair. Like a well-worn fabric or a slightly chipped mug that may have initially caught my eye for its beauty, but over the years it has won my heart because it just feels right. When it comes to vineyards this happens too, and it is a combination of my connection with the vines themselves and my connection with those that tend them. For me the growers’ hands are most definitely part of the terroir.” (onwardwines.com)

ABOUT THE VINEYARD: Capp Inn Ranch

“Capp Inn Ranch vineyard was planted in 1995 by the Capp family.  It was previously planted to prune, peach and apricot trees, but had been left uncared for before the Capp family took over the land and planted it to vines.  The vineyard sits at 180 ft elevation.  The soil is Brentwood Series which is clay loam, which drains well, yet retains moisture keeping it available to the vines.  The daytime temperatures are moderate, enough to ripen both Malvasia and Verdelho. Then the cool evening breeze arrives and drops the temperature, thus cooling the vines and retaining vibrancy in the fruit.” (onwardwines.com)

ABOUT THE LABEL: The label depicts the boat the Onward, which was the boat that Faith Armstrong used to travel to school from her home on an island when she was young.