Paysan 'Zabala Vineyard' Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco, Monterey Co., California 2023

The 800+ acres of vines of the Zabala Vineyard were originally part of the Zabala family’s land grant from Alta California’s brief tenure in independent Mexico.

• Winemaker: Ian Brand
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Variety:  100% Sauvignon Blanc, Musqué clone. 
• Terroir: Located off of Los Coches Road, where the Arroyo Seco River flows underground in the deep sand and rock deposits born down from the Santa Lucia Range. It is among the rockiest and windiest vineyards in California, besotted with granite cobblestones and blasted by the daily winds that flow off the Monterey Bay and funnel down the long valley.
• Vinification: Picked around 21 brix and fermented in 2/3 stainless steel at controlled temperatures and 1/3 neutral on lees until bottling, arrested malic for brightness and complexity of textures and aromatics.
• Tasting Note:  The Musqué clone emphasizes the perfume and fruit of Sauvignon Blanc. Led by satsuma mandarin and herbaceous notes of fresh-cut chives and tarragon, and underpinned by slick limestone on the nose. The palate is bright and distinctly tropical, showing dragon fruit and papaya, which evolve into dry citrus flavors reminiscent of Buddha’s hand.