Riesling, 2019. Koehler

Koehler Winery is home to some of the oldest vines in the Santa Ynez Valley, they are tended by Felipe Hernandez, a legend of California's wine history. Koehler purchased the property in 1997 but Hernandez was there from the beginning. Previously, all the fruit grown on the estate was sold to other producers. The vision of the Koehler family was to instead make their own Rhone and Bordeaux style of wines. Today, there are forty acres of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling.

All the fruit for this wine came from the 5-acre block of Riesling in the Casa Blanca Vineyard. This block represents some of the oldest Riesling in Santa Barbara County. The grapes were harvested at night to keep the fruit cool. The fruit was lightly pressed and cold settled for two days. After a clean racking off the gross lees, the juice was inoculated with DV10 yeast. Fermentation lasted fifteen days at which point it was stopped to maintain a hint of residual sugar.

A pale straw yellow in the glass. Delicate aromas of lime balm, wet stone, and green tea kick off this bottling from a historic vineyard along Foxen Canyon. The long, mild growing season in 2019 resulted in fresh acidity and concentrated flavors. Because of Riesling's sweetness and acidity, it makes the perfect accompaniment to spicy food. Strong Indian and Asian spices are a perfect match with Riesling. Try pairing this wine with Thai curries, or Chinese five-spice roasted duck legs. For something a little simpler, pair this with grilled bratwurst, or even a fully loaded hot dog at your next tailgate.

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