Orixe Sotelo Nebola Blanco White Wine Monterey 2022

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

After a short stint in publishing, winemaker Gustavo Sotelo dove headfirst into the world of wine.  He worked all aspects of viticulture, hospitality, and the cellar 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, his wife Jackie Sotelo was working 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 as well.  During this time, Gustavo connected to his familial roots in Northern Spain.  He absorbed the stories and knowledge of the region’s winemakers and developed 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 2022 Nebola white blend pays homage to the famously fun-loving and unpretentious wines of the Spanish region of Txakolina.  Traditionally vinted to drink young, Txakoli wines go down easily because they are low in alcohol and a touch effervescent.  The slight bubbliness keeps the palate fresh, making Txakoli a fantastic pairing with pintxos and tapas in Basque Country. Hondarrabi Zuri is the classic varietal in Txakolina; however, the grape is rarely planted outside Spain.  Gustavo blended Arinto and Albariño grapes sourced from Pierce Family Ranch in Monterey County to conjure the same mineral-driven style.  Arinto, a varietal indigenous to Portugal, brings high acidity and citrus notes.  At the same time, Albariño, a cohort of Hondarrabi Zuri from Spain’s coastal regions, lends a touch of salinity and zippy freshness.  These characteristics, with the coastal influence of the Pacific in Monterey, have harmoniously merged for a delicious, refreshing, Txakoli-inspired wine.

Gustavo gently pressed the grapes as whole clusters to preserve the freshness.  A long, cold fermentation in stainless-steel tank occurred before five months of aging.  After filtering the wine, Gustavo bottled it early to catch the tiny bubbles and carbonation resulting from the fermentation process.    The aromas remind us of lime zest and jasmine blossoms, with undertones of tropical fruits.  The spritzy palate dances with the acidity, highlighting grapefruit flavors and juicy stone fruit.  Our recommended pairing for the 2022 Nebola from Orixe Sotelo is pure California sunshine and a touch of ocean air!