2023 Lost Slough Vineyard, Clarksburg Cortese

Last year, our friend Steve Matthiasson told us he was involved with an organic Cortese vineyard on a spit of sand in the middle of the Sacramento delta. He went on to describe a site that “…used to flood during King tides until they devised a levy system to keep the brackish water out. A sandy site full of sea shells (!!)." Yolo County has never been on our radar. It seemed a place far too hot for LIOCO's preferred acid-driven style. And here is where the learning is! Turns out this warm, interior California terroir is well suited for a vigorous, sun-loving white grape like Cortese. Our first attempt with this wine in 2022 made us believers. In the winter of 2023 we signed a contract with growers Chuck & Iris Harrison, and set about a way to refine our wine from Lost Slough. A few notable changes in 2023: (1) we picked much earlier, (2) we foot tread and cold soaked a couple bins, and (3) we vinified it in 100% stainless steel to accentuate the inherent snappiness. The resulting wine is more in line with a classical Gavi di Gavi from Piemonte, but still retains that sun-kissed California fun.

AROMA: Thai basil, Amalfi lemon, granite

FLAVOR: camphor, quartz, grapefruit pith

FOOD PAIRINGS: green chicken curry, kebob, aguachile

If you're interested in an allocation or joining our wine club to have access to these wines, please contact us at info@liocowine.com.