There both known for the varietal called Verdelho! Luis was in Lodi yesterday bottling his new Urbanite Cellars 2009 Caliberico Verdelho. The connection to the Azores is with Ron Silva, a Portuguese decedent, Lodi rancher and grape grower. Ron took a trip back to the Azores in the mid-90’s and brought back cuttings of Verdelho from the island of Pico. Now in addition to bottling some of his own Verdelho he sells about 90% of his fruit to other producers including Luis for his new Urbanite Cellars brand.
From left to right, Ron Silva, Paul Wofford, Luis Moya, Filipa Pato, William Wouters, and baby Pato.
Paul Wofford the winemaker for Ron Silva’s Alta Mesa wines and also of Vino Con Brio in Lodi made the wines and helped put the blend together. Paul also makes his own wines under his Wofford Acres Vineyards in El Dorado County. With over 30 years experience making wines at Zaca Mesa, Clos du Val and Bargetto we were very pleased with Paul’s latest efforts. Back in January when we were deciding on the final blend, up and coming Portuguese winemaker Filipa Pato and her husband William Wouters a noted Belgium restaurateur were vacationing here in the Bay Area and Luis invited them up to Lodi to help decide on the final blend.
If Filipa Pato’s name sounds familiar it’s no coincidence as her father is Luis Pato one of Portugal’s finest winemakers. It was great to have Filipa’s input during the blending process and in the end we all agreed on the following blend 75% Verdelho, 20% Viognier, and 5% Pinot Grigio. We sourced the Verdelho from Ron Silva and added the Viognier and Pinot Grigio from Vino Con Brio’s Amorosa Vineyard. The wine is aged in stainless steel and remarkably only has 12.2% alcohol. Considering the grapes are grown in Lodi a very hot area the surprisingly low alcohol content is atypical of most California wines. Luis rational is he wanted a food friendly restaurant accessible wine made more in the European style. I think he hit a home run on this one! Light and crisp with tropical fruit and citrus notes this wine will be great heading into the spring and summer months.
Look for Caliberico Verdelho to be hitting wine list and shops here soon in California. At an estimated $16 a bottle retail it should be an instant hit! If you do find some on a shelf near you don’t hesitate to grab some extra bottles, Luis was only able to produce 168 cases this vintage so it won’t last long!
Enjoy the video with Luis and thanks to the crew at Mobile Wine Line on making it happen! Salud!
