16 Oct Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Vega Vineyard and Farm 2023 Malvasia Bianca, Los Olivos District, Santa Ynez Valley

When you smell the beautiful aromatics of a Malvasia wine, you might think the wine will be sweet. But don’t let the bouquet of honeysuckle, jasmine, and tropical fruit fool you. Malvasia is typically light, crisp, and dry, as is the Vega Vineyard and Farm 2023 Malvasia Bianca, the Please The Plate wine of the week.

About Malvasia Bianca

Malvasia, also known as Malvazia, Malvasier, Monemvasia, and Malmsey, is an ancient family of wine grape varieties grown historically in the Mediterranean region, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and the island of Madeira. Malvasia is a group of varieties that are not related to each other. Believed to be of Greek origin, the name Malvasia comes from the coastal Greek town of Monemvasia, where the Venetians had a strategically important fortress and trading post during the time of their empire. In the Middle Ages, the Venetian merchants would name all of their aromatic white wines Malvasia. Today the main sub-variety is called Malvasia Bianca, also known as Malvasia Istriana. This semi-aromatic, white grape variety is widely planted in Friuli Venezia Giulia, as well as Slovenia and Croatia. And there are less than 1000 acres planted in California. A few of these acres are planted at Vega Vineyard and Farm in the Santa Ynez Valley.

About Vega Vineyard and Farm

Vega Vineyard and Farm was established in 2021. The property, originally called Rancho de Vega, dates back to 1853. In 1976, Bill Mosby and his wife Jeri purchased the 206 acres and planted 18 acres of grapes, including many Italian grapes. In 1980, they changed the name from Vegas Vineyards to Mosby Winery. When Demetrios and Karen Loizides purchased the property they renamed it Vega Vineyard and Farm and brought Steve Clifton on as winemaker.

Steve has been focused on producing Italian grape varieties since he launched his label Palmina in 1995. His love for Italian wines started when he started buying wines for an Italian restaurant in Orange County. Then a trip to Italy changed his life. He went to visit his sister who was living there and learned what wine can be. He saw how a bottle of wine, which was full of history, could exalt an evening. And when asked what the most memorable wine he has ever drank, he has two, both Italian. One is a 1976 Barolo and the other a 1986 Amarone.

In 2021, Steve merged Palmina Winery into Vega Vineyard and Farm where he continues to produce delicious Italian varieties in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Tasting Notes

The Vega Vineyard and Farm 2023 Malvasia is a straw yellow color. On the nose, distinctive floral notes of jasmine and honeysuckle mix with aromas of pineapple, lemon, and lime. The first thought is that the wine will be sweet but instead, it is bone dry with bright acidity with citrus and mineral flavors and a subtle brininess on the finish.

Food Pairing

It is the subtle brininess on the finish of this wine that makes it perfect for something simple like oysters, scallops, shrimp, or crab. Pair it with Thai dishes. I enjoyed this wine with a plate of spaghetti alla vongole and it was a great pairing. A light pasta dish, the light to medium-bodied wine was a match. The acidity of the wine balanced the viscosity of the olive oil. And, the brininess of the claims was a match with the minerality of the wine.

Where To Purchase

The Vega Vineyard and Farm 2023 Malvasia Bianca, Los Olivos District retails for $39 and is available on the Vega Vineyard and Farm website.

Meet The Winemaker

Meet Steve Clifton and get to know him in 30 questions on the Wine Soundtrack USA podcast.