This wine is crafted from grapes grown at our estate vineyard, Grace Benoist Ranch. Here, certified Alsatian clones are planted in deep, well-drained loamy soils that are perfect for capturing memorable flavors. The cooler temperatures, driven by nearby San Pablo Bay, provide for a long, even growing season that allows the Pinot Gris fruit to fully ripen while preserving natural acidity. The Grace Benoist Estate vineyard is farmed to Etude’s exacting standards, using environmentally sound viticultural practices. We grow and harvest focused on intensity of flavor, strong varietal delineation, and ideal natural balance. Etude is sustainably certified under the Napa Green program at the winery, while Grace Benoist Ranch is certified under the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.
The 2021 season produced exceptionally high-quality fruit, some of the best grapes seen in recent years. Rain early in the year led to almost no notable precipitation for the rest of t he season, providing an ideal environment for grapes to flower, bloom, and set in early spring, with bud break early in April, followed by flowering and bloom in May. The summer saw early and even ripening with veraison appearing in early July. Low yields, in part due to dry conditions, created fruit that is smaller in berry size and intensely flavored. One of the earliest starts, harvest began at the end of August. With optimal ripening and taste, our winemakers took their time bringing grapes in, crafting wines of fantastic character, with amazing color extraction, aromatic intensity, balance, and structure that are equally lush and fruity. A tremendous year to taste the nuances and distinctive terroir from around the valley.
We harvested the Pinot Gris into small bins at night and rushed them to our winery t o retain the freshness and purity of the fruit. After gently pressing the whole clusters, the juice was transferred to small stainless-steel barrels for fermentation and then matured undisturbed for four months sur lie, enhancing the silky texture and mouthfeel, before a very gentle bottling. The wine never touches a sliver of oak, nor does any portion undergo malolactic fermentation.
Pinot Gris from Alsace is one of Winemaker Jon Priest’s favorite varietals, so delicate, intentional winemaking crafts this lovely expression from Napa Valley. On the nose, lovely white floral aromatics sit alongside stone fruit character. On the palate, a flinty minerality is present, supported by more tropical notes of Asian pear, candied apple peel, white nectarine, and citrus blossom. The texture is creamy, supple, and round, balanced by refreshing, crisp acidity. The finish is long and dry, demonstrating the true elegance and inherent balance found within our renowned estate vineyards.
