There is nothing more refreshing than enjoying a chilled, crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc on a balmy summer day. This summer, Lula Cellars (www.lulacellars.com), a small production, ultra-premium winery located in Mendocino County’s famed Anderson Valley, is pleased to debut the inaugural release of its 2014 Sauvignon Blanc. The Sauvignon Blanc, along with the winery’s 2014 Dry Gewürztraminer and 2014 Rosato varietals, are the perfect wines for summertime sipping, and also pair beautifully with grilled meats, veggies, and seafood.
The 2014 vintage marks the first Sauvignon Blanc release for Lula Cellars. This outstanding wine comes from grapes grown at nearly 2,500-feet elevation and close proximity to the coast lending to warm days and cool nights – ideal climate conditions for grape growing. This vintage offers oenophiles bold flavors of fig and melon and steely minerality with a long finish and cleansing acidity. It pairs well with roasted poultry, grilled pork and creamy polentas.
The 2014 vintage marks the sixth release of Dry Gewürztraminer from Lula Cellars. The grapes used to make this wine come from several vineyards in Mendocino, a cool-climate region increasingly recognized for this outstanding Alsatian varietal. The wine displays exotic spice and floral notes on the nose with hints of ripe melon and is balanced with a crisp acidity and lingering finish. It pairs exceptionally well seafood and shellfish such as with Dungeness crab, Halibut and Lula Cellar’s signature recipe for Lemon Risotto with Asparagus (recipe available upon request).
The 2014 vintage of Lula Cellars’ Rosato is its fifth release of this dry-styled rose made from the juice of pinot noir and tempranillo grapes. The juice from both grape varietals are only allowed four hours of skin contact prior to the start of fermentation and fermented at cool temperatures to allow the finished wine to retain the unique flavors these grapes are known for. This finished wine explodes with the flavors of ripe strawberry, tangelo, and watermelon on the palate with hints of allspice and thyme on the nose. The crisp, clean acidity of the 2014 Rosato makes a great companion to grilled prawns and spicy Asian-style dishes. For brunch, pair it with Lula Cellars’ Artichoke Frittata (recipe available upon request).
Additional information on Lula Cellars and the new tasting room, located in the Deep End of the famed Anderson Valley, can be found below my signature.
If you are working on any stories highlighting the perfect wines for Summer 2015, we ask you to consider Lula Cellars’ three summer releases for inclusion in the piece. And thank you, as always, for your consideration!
About Lula Cellars:
Lula Cellars is a small production, ultra-premium label located in the “Deep End” of Mendocino County’s famed Anderson Valley. Winemaker Jeff Hansen, a thirty-year wine industry veteran, produces world class Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Dry Gewurztraminer, Rosato and Sauvignon Blanc wines, made entirely with grapes grown in vineyards from Mendocino County, California. Since launching in 2010, Lula Cellars has built a reputation for crafting award-winning wines and fostering an enjoyable customer experience. The goal of Lula Cellars is simple: to produce high quality, eminently drinkable wines and to offer them at prices that are reasonable, by selling directly to consumers. Lula Cellars was named for Jeff’s maternal grandmother Lula, who was born in 1879 and lived to the age of 89.
Lula Cellars is located at 2800 Guntley Road in Philo, CA. The tasting room is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For further information, please call 707-895-3737 or visit www.lulacellars.com.
