A rare, expensive possession that is a financial burden to maintain. 2. An uncommon whitish or light-gray form of the Asia elephant, often regarded with special venerations. 3. A unique California white wine made from a blend of 58% Chenin Blanc, 32% Viognier and 10% Roussanne, which are barrel fermented in French Oak and aged Sur Lies for 9 months. Its cool climate pedigree stretches from Clarksburg, through San Benito to Santa Barbara County. Medium straw color which is evidence of its careful French oak barrel fermentation. The aromas display tropical top notes from the Clarksburg Chenin Blanc such as mango and lychee, but then is backed by apricot and clove courtesy of the Paso Robles Viognier. The palate has a slight toasted oak note and then becomes slightly creamy while opening up with its ample acidity (again from the Clarksburg Chenin Blanc), but then shows the pear grit and pure minerality from the Paso Robles Roussanne. This complex blend was crafted to deliver a world class, food friendly wine and a new world tribute to the Loire Valley. California doesn't share the same terroir, but the non-traditional varietals we combine with the Chenin Blanc reminds us of the best of Vouvray. The wine has a long and elegant finish and is ideal with fresh oysters on the half shell and pairs well with fresh cracked crab or crab cakes, grilled fish, sea scallops or chicken korma, a mildly spicy almond chicken curry (Indian), and goes nicely with grilled wild Salmon with sweet potatoes and baked organic asparagus.
Vinum Cellars is a small California winery known for producing wines of the highest quality. It is a collaboration of winemakers Richard Bruno and Chris Condos, who first became friends while they were students at UC Davis. After graduation, Chris went to work for Pine Ridge as enologist and Richard went to Bonny Doon as their distiller, and they later joined forces to create Vinum. The grapes are sourced from sustainable growers from premium coastal and cool climate growing areas within California. The white wines are barrel fermented and aged on the lees. With the red wines, varietal fruit profiles are enhanced through the use of small open-top fermentors, hand punch downs, extended maceration before pressing and aging in older French oak. Vinum Cellars is committed to experimenting and learning new winemaking methods while preserving an old world approach.
This wine evolves into a crisp melange of refreshing fruit from honeydew to citron lemon, ripe kiwi and tart pippin apples. The wine finishes juicy while remaining appropriately acidic and dry with sweet green apple and mango nectar flavors. This is our 18th year of producing Chenin Blanc from Wilson Farms in Clarksburg California, near Sacramento in the Delta. What is special about this location (especially for Chenin Blanc) is the micro climate. This area is about 90 miles East of San Francisco which is an inland valley floor location, prone to heat; however, because of its proximity to the SF Bay, the area is cooled down in the afternoon due to the marine influence. The cool breezes remove heat, yet allow for optimal daytime sunlight and ripening to occur. This cooling effect allows the grapes to maintain larger than normal (for an inland location) natural acidities which inherently makes better wine. The grapes for this wine are harvested in the middle of the night so we receive them nice and cold at the winery bright and early (usually 5 am). We hand sort the grapes and go direct to the press, expressing the juice and cold settling for about 3 days. After the juice is settled, we rack the unfermented juice clean and into stainless steel tanks and ferment cold and slow to express as much aromatics as possible. The wine is not put through malo-lactic so as to preserve the natural acidity and maintain this as an important part of the flavor profile. This wine pairs fabulously with grilled fish tacos and salsa fresca, avocado, fresh lime and cilantro. Try it with summer salads like blood orange, shaved fennel and arugula in a champagne vinaigrette. Or a chioggia beet salad with toasted walnuts and gorgonzola or grilled yellowfin tuna with fresh guacamole, roasted fingerling potatoes and Maui onions.
Vinum Cellars was established in 1997 based on producing value oriented, varietal/appellation specific wines. Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley confirms our belief that only specific grape varietals should be grown within appellations that are ideally suited to the varietal.
Made from a single-vineyard in the Santa Lucia Foothills of Monterey, this ripe and bright Pinot noir displays vibrant garnet color, with aromas of sweet cherry, and spices such as clove and sandalwood. It is generous with ripe cherries and cherry pie flavors.