2019 La Marea "Kristy Vineyard" Monterey County Albariño

The traditionally Spanish white grape Albariño has been the Galician “it” wine for decades. Its savory salinity and cool and juicy flavors make it a favorite of seafood lovers around the world. The cooling maritime influence that pours over Spain’s western flank works much the same way here. The result is a wine with crisp minerality, hints of citrus, and bright fruit. Millions of years ago, this region was a shallow ocean bed. Now the area is replete with deposits of limestone which give the wine lift and intensity. The La Marea line of wines is winemaker Ian Brand's homage to the best of Spain. Ian Brand is one of several key winemakers who have dedicated their careers to bringing out the best in wines from the Monterey area. As Ian puts it, “Monterey is the last major coastal region of California that hasn’t been completely blown up.” Named “Winemaker of the Year” by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2018, Brand is the mastermind behind three labels—Le P’tit Paysan, La Marea, and I. Brand. He shows us that it is still possible to make distinctive wines of place for under $25 while being committed to organic farming and the pursuit of quality.