2022 As If "Gratitude" Pét-Nat

Tasting Notes
A raw skin-fermented, pétillant natural blend — unfined and unfiltered, just how we like our sparkling. Whiffs of marmalade, tropical fruit, and red rose emanate from its amber juice. It's bright and peppy, medium-bodied with notes of dried orange peel, apricot, molasses, and ginger. Pop open at celebrations instead of champagne or prosecco and makes a delicious companion to BBQs and picnics.

Process
Gratitude is an orange-style pétillant-naturel, aka natural sparkling wine. The 2022 is a field blend of about 70% Gewürztraminer and 30% Pinot Gris, entirely fermented on the skins of both cultivars. Just as the ferment was coming to an end, the wine was chilled to stop it, and then pressed off the skins, settled and racked off of the wine's lees. Afterward, the wine was hand bottled and capped and allowed to warm back to room temperature to finish its ferment in a bottle. The result is a raw and natural wine with no additional sulfites added, and no further fining or filtering. The yeast sediment in the bottle adds dimension to the sparkling; it can be carefully poured to avoid disturbing the sediment, or gently mixed in the bottle for a more complex bouquet.

Varietals
Pinot Gris, Gewurtztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc