New 2023 Wood Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This is the inaugural production of Wood Family Sauvignon Blanc. Right out of the starting blocks they are setting a strong standard!
Wood Family Vineyards, located in eastern Livermore Valley with Rhonda Wood owner & winemaker, has been producing award winning wines for over two decades. You can read more on her background from airline pilot to award winning winemaker at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2016/02/10/wood-family-vineyards-2
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Very impressed on this first release of Sauvignon Blanc. Now here is some inside news: they are releasing two versions of their Sauvignon Blanc. The first being the stainless steel fermented (this story) and another fermented in Acacia & neutral barrels being released towards the end of Q2’24!
The stainless steel fermented version is very close to a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with grapefruit, lemon grass, etc. However this is just a bit “tamer’ with pineapple, yet zesty and lively. On the eyes a tantalizing light golden coloring and medium viscosity. On the nose aromas of lemon grass and tropical floral rise up to meet the imbiber. On the palate, the strong flavors of grapefruit and lemon grass swirl about like a party in the mouth. Mostly tart with a faint hint of pineapple and passion fruit. On the finish, a puckering and enjoyable finish of lemon zest. A complete and hearty Sauvignon Blanc from Livermore!! Only 415 cases produced and the wine will be released in early March and priced at $34/bottle.
I have not tasted the Oaked version, but rumor has that the Acacia barrel and stirring of the lees, added some weight to the wine. Look forward to tasting towards the end of Q2’24.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Picked this wine to have with quickly sautéed scallops and whole wheat thin spaghetti. Accompanied by halved and roasted Brussel sprouts and a fresh garden salad. Normally I would have chosen Wood Family Chardonnay but wanted to see how this paired with the sweet scallops. For a food and wine pairing, this worked well with a contrast between the scallops and Sauvignon Blanc. Definitely an excellent wine to be paired with oysters, mussels, lemon chicken and even smoked salmon. I will be having this wine during the upcoming weekend with a charcuterie board and snacks for the Super Bowl.
This wine just made the annual list of Best Wines tasted in the year for 2024 in the “under $50” category.
Sláinte,
Michael