2023 Pinot Gris, Shoestring Vineyard

Awards

Wine Enthusiast 91 points; Hidden Gem.

"There's the slightest hint of pink on this bottling, which is where Pinot Gris seems to thrive, offering melon and Meyer lemon aromas. The rounded melon and Rainier cherry flavors of the palate make for a very quaffable wine."

--Matt Kettmann

Food Pairing

Pack your wicker basket with tapenade, fruit tart and pavlova. Or better yet, get Thai takeout with Massaman curry.

Production Notes

Pinot Gris Field Blend ;  102 cases produced.

Tasting Notes

Once you pour this tasty wine in the glass it reflects the rose gold sky at sunset. This collaboration of Flying Goat and Shoestring merges seamlessly like the Santa Ynez River flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Perhaps a picnic at nearby Surf Beach is in your destiny with this lovely new expression of Pinot Gris. Lush tropical fruit, such as papaya, is revealed on the nose. Stone fruit, such as peaches and nectarine, are more evident on the palate. 

Vineyard Notes

This is our first vintage from Shoestring Vineyard, located along the Santa Ynez River east of Buellton. The vineyard was planted over ten years ago; Norm formerly worked with the fruit for a custom winemaking project. He’s thrilled with the current expression of the fruit and pleased to have it as part of his current vineyard portfolio. 

Winemaker Notes

Pinot Gris is a finicky grape, bluish-purple in skin color and desiring a cool but sunny growing locale. It produces wines that range in color from coral to pink to a pale straw. It can be made in an Italian Pinot Grigio style that is light, refreshing and fruity or an Alsatian style that is more austere and complex. It’s a cousin to Pinot Noir and at Flying Goat this interesting and versatile grape is coaxed into a crisp and fruity white wine.