Discover the story of Albariño from Terra Alta Vineyard
When it comes to Spanish grape varieties in the New World, nearly all plantings and cuttings have passed through the hands of Markus and Liz Bokisch. This dynamic duo has championed Spanish grapes since the mid-1990s, and their Terra Alta Vineyard in the Clements Hills AVA has become a new home for Albariño, Grenache Blanc, Tempranillo, and Verdejo.
Why Terra Alta Vineyard?
Driven by a love for vibrant, crisp white wines, we searched extensively to find an Albariño worthy of our portfolio. The Wine Foundry discovered it at Bokisch’s Terra Alta Vineyard, where the rolling terrain of the Clements Hills AVA perfectly nurtures this Spanish varietal. Their organically farmed block of Albariño thrives across the slopes in the southeastern Clements Hills region of Lodi. Here, the nearby Mokelumne River brings refreshing breezes from the Sierra Nevada Mountains, allowing the vines to benefit from the diurnal temperature shifts. These changes—warm days and cool nights—help Albariño grapes retain their natural acidity, a hallmark of this vibrant wine.
Rich Soils, Deeper Flavor
Terra Alta’s 250,000-year-old volcanic soils create ideal growing conditions for Albariño. The ancient Redding and Cometa soils, combined with nutrient-depleted volcanic clasts, stress the vines just enough to produce small, flavor-dense berries. This environment fosters unique minerality and complexity, making Terra Alta Albariño an exciting addition to any white wine lover’s collection.
Expanding Our White Wine Collection
With Albariño from Terra Alta Vineyard, we proudly add another Spanish grape to a collection already rich with Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, Sémillon, and Trousseau Gris. Each of these varietals offers distinctive characteristics, but Albariño brings a new dimension to our selection—a crisp, refreshing interpretation of a classic Spanish grape.
