Arbe Garbe Catie's Corner Vineyard Malvasia Russian River Valley 2022

Nestled between Austria, Slovenia, and the rest of Italy, the wines of Friuli have been silently growing in popularity over the centuries, just like the "arbe garbe" or bad weeds found in that area. Friuli hides in the valleys of the Eastern Hills, and the wine being made there has been free-flowing on every kitchen table in every village in the region. Proprietors Enrico and Letizia grew up in Friuli, fell in love in high school, later picked grapes to earn cash for university, and finally moved to America in 1994. After working several harvests at Sine Qua Non under Manfred Krankl's guidance, they moved to Napa Valley, where Enrico worked harvests at Joseph Phelps, Girard, and eventually became the head winemaker at Flora Springs. Though crafting modern Napa Valley Cabernet had become his new way of life, the wines of Friuli still had a place in his heart, which led him to the launch of Arbe Garbe, inspired by his homeland. On the hunt for varietals similar to the grapes grown back home in Friuli, Enrico and Letizia found themselves foraging vineyards in the Russian River Valley and, in 2007, launched their label! They make their wines like they raise their children: no set rules and no recipes because each vintage is unique, just like each child is.  "The variables of wine-making -or childbearing- are determined "as vintage calls": in-depth study, careful observation, and raw guts. With a purely hedonistic approach, we create ever-changing blends that embrace the melting pot we live in – California, and the one we've left behind." ~Enrico and Letizia

When Enrico and Letizia founded Arbe Garbe in 2007, their first matter of business was connecting with Saralee Kunde, the legendary Sonoma winegrower whose vineyard, Catie's Corner, was the go-to site for winemakers seeking esoteric varietals. Saraleee planted Catie's Corner in 1988 and is widely considered a trailblazing pioneer in Sonoma's winegrowing world as she inter-planted traditional varietals with obscure, heritage vines and focused on sustainable practices long before it was the buzzword of today. She wholeheartedly believed in the Arbe Garbe project and helped the couple from the starting block by planting just under one acre of Malvasia Bianca for their sole use.

Malvasia Bianca is a somewhat prolific grape native to Italy, where it is grown and vinted from Piedmont in the north to Friuli in the South, in both dry and sweet styles. Its powerful aromatics make it a key varietal for white blends, while its versatility means there is a Malvasia wine for everyone, as it is crafted in a myriad of ways. Generally, the varietal has low to medium acidity, so the cool morning fog in the Russian River Valley heightens the grape's acidity, resulting in light, crisp, and fresh flavors. Arbe Garbe's 2022 Malvasia Bianca gives white flowers, Bosc pears, and apricots on the nose with a lusciously textured and bright palate that delights in flavors of ginger, mango, honeysuckle, and Meyer lemon.