Jolie-Laide Pinot Gris Suisun Valley 2024

Country: USA

Region: Solano County

Type: Orange Wine

Grape: Pinot Gris

Jolie-Laide's Pinot Gris adventure began with their first release in 2013. Over the years, they’ve collaborated with different growers from diverse microclimates and terroirs throughout California. After a decade of working with the grape variety, in 2023, they transitioned to working with a single vineyard in the Suisun Valley, just southeast of Napa Valley. The Suisun Valley is an area you don’t hear about often, but for grape varieties like Pinot Gris, the region’s terroir perfectly suits it, thanks to its gentle microclimate, alluvial clay loam soils, and organic farming practices.

To preserve natural acidity, grapes were harvested early and foot-stomped for a three-day whole cluster cold soak, which enhanced their phenolic texture and added a delicate tannin and playful pink hue. The juice was gently moved to a combination of neutral puncheon and stainless steel for a slow and cold native yeast fermentation, and aged in neutral puncheons and barrique for 6 months. 

Beautifully aromatic, the wine is both lifted and light on its feet but with elegant texture and an almost vibrant pink color. Fresh strawberry, white tea, and calla lily on the nose, bergamot citrus acidity with a subtle quinine-like texture from the skin contact.