2021 Orin Swift, Veladora Sauvignon Blanc – Mystery Label Solved
The Background
As is our custom when getting together, a wine is given to the host. The other night we had plenty of wines and this was left orphaned in the refrigerator as an oversight. Put it in the cellar and was intrigued by the “mysterious label” to open it up.
As I started to unwind the mystery label, an excellent behind the scene story unfolded. Orin Swift is the winery producing this wine. The winery uses this label to draw attention to the anonymous workforce of men and women who labor in vineyards and wineries of Napa Valley. Orin Swift Cellars donates $65,000 a year to Puertas Abiertas (Open Doors) who provides dental services, counseling and health screenings for those workers in need without checking immigration status. This group was founded by Father Gordon Kahil and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appears on the label of the wine. It was chosen as a recognition of the Latino heritage of their Latino farm workers. You can visit their website at: http://www.puertasabiertasnapa.org for more information
The Wine, 2021 Veladora Sauvignon Blanc
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
A most clean and crisp Sauvignon Blanc without “too much citrus” but rather more welcoming with mellow flavors. First on the eyes a light golden yellow and medium viscosity. On the nose aromas of tropical fruits of pineapple, guava and mellow lemongrass. On the palate honeydew melon and grapefruit were the primary and refreshing flavors. On the finish, a minerality of wet stone was found but the lively and crispness of a “pure Sauvignon Blanc” stole the experience. The wine comes from two vineyards, Solari Vineyard and McGah and is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. It was barrel fermented in French oak for 5 months with 13% being new. The alcohol is high at 15.4% but totally unnoticeable. The wine sells for $30/bottle and is a unique wine and worthy cause.
The Food & Wine Pairing
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
The reason the wine was chosen to compliment a fresh rock cod was just purchased at Ohana Seafood (Modesto). It was blackened in a variety of spices at the store and brought home. Fried on a cast iron skillet with only butter, it came out flaky tender, moist and delicious. Accompanied by broccoli and wild and long grain rice. The spiciness of the blackened fish with the tropical flavors of the wine counterbalanced each other perfectly. A very nice food and wine pairing this evening. I believe on those warm summer days, this wine would work nicely chilled as refreshing alternative to Chardonnay.
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 