Gros Ventre High Country White White Wine El Dorado 2020

ACME has been discovering new brands for 18 years now! And there is nothing more gratifying than to see a brand that we first debuted a decade ago continue to grow and thrive within this industry. Gros Ventre first came onto our radar back in 2009 when Chris Pittenger and his wife Sarah launched their debut vintage. Since then, the wine has garnered heaps of acclaim and amassed fans all over the country but has always remained special to us at ACME. 

It all started when Chris left his sommelier gig in Jackson Hole, Wyoming to dive head-first into the production side of the wine world. Starting first at Robert Biale Winery, he then joined the Williams-Selyem winemaking team after deciding to fully immerse himself into Pinot Noir. Ultimately, Chris studied under the legendary Helen Turley at Marcassin Estate, home to arguably the most coveted Pinots made on this hemisphere, before launching his very own brand, Gros Ventre. The name pulls double duty: Gros Ventre, which translates to ‘big belly’ in French, is the name of a river near Jackson Hole and was also Chris’ affectionate nickname for his wife, Sarah, who was carrying their first child at the time of the brand’s debut release. Ten years later, with child number two and a dog gained, Chris and his wife Sarah have continued to deliver some of the most delightful wines that have ever graced the ACME wall of wine. 

We are thrilled to present the newest addition to the Gros Ventre line-up - a crisp, mineral-driven white blend that showcases the incredible potential of the Sierra Foothills. This wine colors outside of the lines with its make-up of 30% Arneis, 30% Fiano, 12% Chenin Blanc, 10% Vermentino, 9% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Grenache Blanc, 4% Picpoul Blanc, all of which are sourced from the Sierra Nevada Foothills. The fruit was picked at low brix (sugar content), hand-harvested, and gently pressed. Spontaneous fermentation occurred in stainless steel and the wine was aged in neutral oak barrels. Bottled the summer after harvest and just 263 cases produced, this wine is for those “in the know”. Subtle chamomile and lavender aromas lead to hints of lime, flint, salty ocean breeze, and a whiff of cotton candy. Light-to-medium-bodied and very refreshing, more lime joins pears and apples on the mid-palate. The finish is long, layered, and tamed by bright acidity that first livens then washes away…only to return again! Enjoy chilled alongside a watermelon and feta salad for the ultimate summer delight.