Florez Wines Kind of Orange 2023

Type: Orange
Producer: Florez
Country: USA
Region: Cienega Valley, San Benito County, California
Grape: Viognier
Year: 2023
Farming: Organic/Sustainable

Years past “Kind of Orange” was made from Sauvignon Blanc from Mendocino. Unfortunately, that vineyard fell into disrepair, and “Kind of Orange” had to be reinvented. While I was listening to a podcast featuring John Kongsgaard in which he was talking about how Viognier was an aromatic variety with notable tannins — the light bulb turned on for me. How ideal for an orange wine! Opportunely, Viognier had just become available to me from a promising site near by and I knew it was the perfect fit.

So This Orange wine is made from Viognier sourced inland in the Cienega Valley. Fermented with native yeasts with 25% whole cluster grapes and three weeks of maceration on the skins. The wine then ages in neutral French oak for 6 months on the lees before unfiltered bottling. No added sulfur.

Aromas of tropical fruit and mandarin are met with a soft and round body with layered stone fruit and tropical flavors supported by bright acidity and silky tannins that lead into a dry finish.