Banyan, Monterey County Gewurztraminer 2021

This is the fourth vintage (out of nineteen) from Rancho Llegado. Typical for the Arroyo Seco appellation, wind, fog, and cool temperatures predominate year round. The Rancho is carefully farmed to assure the specific ripeness, a balance of sugar, and the acidity, that we are looking for. A long growing season and temperatures that rarely rise above 80 ̊F create an ideal spot for such a wonderfully aromatic wine. Having tried it both ways, they now choose to mechanically harvest versus handpicking. The added skin contact time while in transport to the winery boosts the aromatics and savoriness of the wine. Once at the winery, grapes are pressed then cold settled for 72 hours before the fermentation is allowed to begin. Fermentation for 2021 vintage lasted 50 days at 52 ̊F. The 2021 is completely dry.

Banyan Wines is a father and son project from Somchai and Kenny Likitprakong born out of a mutual passion for wine, their Thai heritage, and an idea to combine the two. They produce appellation-specific California white wines that pair with Asian cuisines. The Banyan philosophy is to use only sustainably and/or organically farmed grapes from vineyards in regions with microclimates ideally suited for the particular variety.