Spring days present excellent white wine drinking weather, and there are some whites to try under a new local label.
Manzoni Cellars in Carmel is now Cypress Grove Winery, after the Manzoni family sold to husband-wife team Dan and Doree Troyan in September 2024. The first three 2024 white wines under the new label are here – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Rosé of Pinot Noir.
The first bottling was a moment of truth: “While they were sitting there in the barrel, we had fingers crossed like, ‘God, I hope they’re good,’” Dan says.
The Arroyo Seco Sauvignon Blanc has white orchid notes on the nose with a hint of grapefruit. And its palate builds upon the senses while putting its aging on display with a toasty and light apricot finish.
The Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay tinges slightly more gold in color. A fuller body compliments its clean aroma with notes of lemon and citrus not overwhelmed by oak. Its aging time is broken up into thirds in French oak, new oak then stainless steel with a finish that’s medium in length – just long enough for you to want to take another sip.
Rounding out the new vintage is the Rosé, from Santa Lucia Highlands grapes. Red fruit comes into play on the nose, offering an off-dry and earthy palate balanced with Pinot’s signature acidity.
Cypress Grove’s rollout will continue to transition away from the Manzoni label over one to two years.