Orixe Sotelo Albor White Wine Calaveras County 2020

One of the most intriguing aspects of wine is its ability to link us to the past, entice us in the present, and point us to the future.  At Orixe Sotelo, making wine is about honoring the history of how vines came to flourish in California and expanding that deeply rooted wine culture through the "lens" of Spanish grape varietals.

After a short stint in the world of publishing, winemaker Gustavo Sotelo dove headfirst into the world of wine.  He worked all aspects of cellar, viticulture, and hospitality at Etude, Mumm, and White Rock Vineyards (to name a few) while simultaneously earning his second Bachelor's degree from UC Davis in Viticulture & Enology.  He joined the uber-hip team at SCRIBE in 2015, where he is the Associate Winemaker & Director of Operations.  While Gustavo earned his chops in the wine world, Jackie Sotelo worked in San Francisco as a Senior Marketing Manager for an urban development and planning company.  Though Jackie's career did not directly interface with wine, she sought it out whenever possible.  While traveling and collaborating with small wineries and restaurants in her development projects, she drank and tasted through all she could.  Gustavo & Jackie met in San Francisco, and their relationship blossomed as fate would have it.  In the Spring of 2017, Jackie's career focus shifted to wine and she signed on to oversee Digital Marketing at Ashes & Diamonds Winery in Napa.  After a little less than a year at A&D, she joined Bedrock Wines as the Direct-to-Consumer Manager, where she wears many hats and has been instrumental in the brand's growth.  Gustavo's inspirational time as a harvest intern with Bodegas Mauro in Ribera del Duero was a pivotal experience for him and in his sharing of the story, for Jackie too.  During this time, Gustavo found himself connecting to his familial roots in Northern Spain and absorbing the stories and knowledge of the region's winemakers, along with developing an appreciation for the delicious complexity of its traditional grapes.  Both embraced their heritage and the history that shaped Orixe Sotelo's vision, in which Gustavo and Jackie explore the vast potential for Spanish varietals in California.

The 2020 "Albor," which translates to first light, is the debut white blend from Orixe Sotelo.  A blend of 60% Albariño and 40% Godello (hold tight for more on this super versatile grape), the fruit for this wine comes from Metate Hill Vineyard in Calaveras County.  Metate Hill is nestled in a valley between two peaks deep in the Sierra Foothills wine country, where the moderate climate lends well to growing the more robust varietals seen in Spain & Italy.  In a story like that of Gustavo and Jackie, the Stange family (owners of Metate Hill) sought to showcase Spanish grapes and imported several Galician white varietals to plant in their vineyard.  With the help of viticulturist Stephen Collum, Metate Hill Vineyard's plantings include Albariño, Godello, Treixadura, Tempranillo, and Garnacha, among others.  

Like Albariño years back, the Godello grape is experiencing a renaissance in its traditional Spanish region of Valdeorras and here in California.  It is known for its versatility and, therefore, is a winemaker's playground when it comes to style.  Godello wines can be lean and bright or blended with others to create depth and texture in a wine.  In the case of the 2020 "Albor," the Albariño and Godello were co-fermented in a mix of stainless-steel drums and 500L puncheons using native yeast.  After primary fermentation, malolactic fermentation was blocked with the wine resting on its lees until bottling.  The "Albor" delivers on all the highlights of its fruit with a nose of lemon peel, white flowers, and crisp pear.  A clean, lively, and textured palate delivers freshly zested citrus with hints of jasmine and ginger.  We love a good co-fermentation of harmonious grapes; like cake and ice cream, some things are just better together!