Monterey County is California’s best kept secret for cool climate wines. You don’t hear much about this AVA yet, but you will. It has the mountains, the ocean breezes and the sun-swept benchland vineyards to produce great wines. Mirassou pulls grapes from several Monterey microclimates to get a full range of flavor and texture.

Crisp green apple, lifted peach and apricot aromas. Rounded out with tropical fruit and vanilla flavors. Creamy, medium body.

With 150 years of family winemaking behind him, David Mirassou, says his winemakers “gently guide” the wines to keep natural, fresh flavors in the bottle. Here is a good example. By blending grapes from the Central Coast and the Russian River Valley, the winemakers got both ripeness and nice acidity in this Pinot Grigio. A little Sauvignon Blanc picks up the citrus notes.

Very refreshing. Lively lemon, lime and peach flavors. A bit of California sunshine in the bottle.