MONTE VOLPE

Italian grape varieties that were once an integral part of Mendocino viticulture are again drawing the attention of wineries here as well as other regions in the United States.

The wines we have made at Monte Volpe (which means Fox Mountain) since our first releases in 1991 are rich in color, fragrance, flavor and offer a great deal of finesse. Their structures are reminiscent of their Italian ancestry, but they display a vibrancy that is the hallmark of wines that are produced from fully ripened grapes.

The focus of this brand is on the classic red varieties of Tuscany and the supple white cultivars of Friuli.

2002 PRIMO ROSSO - Mendocino
This wine has a dark purple-garnet color, with jammy aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, raspberries and plums. Rich full flavors, ripe tannins and a seamless balance that carries through a long, lingering finish. This enticing wine is for immediate enjoyment or one that will reward the patience of cellaring.

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2002 PEPPOLINO - Mendocino
Peppolino is one of those wines that offers the winemaker the opportunity and freedom to create a truly unique wine, which is the most expressive form of winemaking. Gently handcrafted from specially selected lots, this blend of three classic central and southern Italian varietals has come together to create a wine of great structure and elegance.

This is a wine of great structure. Exotic aromas of violet, spices, and notes of black licorice weave throughout the vibrant blackberry fruit and tar character. Firm tannins and velvety middle culminate in a long lasting, harmonious finish that laced with toasty oak. This wine’s complexity and depth of flavor will continue to evolve with further bottle aging.

Enjoy with grilled steaks, pasta with forest mushroom sauce and lamb chops with rosemary sauce.

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2006 PINOT GRIGIO - Mendocino
Pinot Grigio is quickly becoming one of the most popular white grape varieties in the world. This rust-gray tinted skinned grape, enjoyed for centuries, is said to be a mutation of the Pinot Noir grape. However, it seems unsure whether it is a red or white wine grape, hence, grigio, meaning gray.

Excellent as an appertivo or serve with roasted game hens, pasta alfredo, scallops, grilled sea bass and chicken cacciatore.

Voted Best Mendocino Wine with Crab at Mendocino Crab & Wine Days

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2002 TOCAI FRIULANO - Mendocino
Tocai is native to and the most widely planted grape variety in the Friuli Province of Northeastern Italy. The Tocai Friulano name is said to be derived from the local word for the small juice glass used to serve wine in taverns and restaurants. The Friulan’s call the grape “the brother of the sauvignon” because of the growing characteristics of the vines; however that is where all similarity ends. The grape has no connection to Tokaji or France’s Tokay d’Alsace. In Mendocino County, this grape produces wines that are richly honeyed and floral.

This wine is rich and intensely fruity. It greets you with aromas of grapefruit, allspice and honeysuckle and unveils a subtle complexity of toasty, creamy oak. Balanced acidity and a lingering finish makes this wine a benchmark for all other Tocai’s to pursue.

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2002 SANGIOVESE - Mendocino
Monte Volpe is one of the oldest producers of Sangiovese in California, releasing its first vintage in 1992. Ninety-four percent of the Sangiovese grapes for this wine were grown by Lowell Stone, owner of the Fox Mountain Vineyard in the eastern foothills of the Ukiah Valley. Six percent of this blend came from the Masut Vineyards located in the hills overlooking the Redwood Valley.

Enjoy with grilled steaks, pasta with forest mushroom sauce and lamb chops with rosemary sauce.

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2006 SANGIOVESE ROSATO - Mendocino
The grapes for this wine come for the Giannecchini Vineyards located in the eastern foothills above theUkiah Valley. In 2005, the growing season in Mendocino county was marked by warm summer days and cool nights.

The color of this wine is a dazzling sunset pink. Refreshing aromas and flavors of soft strawberry and cranberry with a light splash of grapefruit are nicely balanced by mouth-watering acidity. The wine has a crisp dry finish.

This wine is wonderful as an aperitivo or anything “al fresco”. It is the perfect picnic wine. Ice it down in tubs at a beach clambake or serve it with proscuitto wrapped figs.

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2002 MONTEPULCIANO - Mendocino
Montepulciano is the largest planted red grape variety in the Abruzzi and the Marche region in central Italy. It is also planted in several other regions in Italy mainly in the central and southern providences. It is a hearty late ripening variety similar to Sangiovese with full tannins, lower acidity and a softer rounder mouth feel. Our Mendocino version is a bigger, more age worthy example than most Montepulciano d’Abuzzo’s.

The finished wine has a dark purple-garnet color with aromas and flavors of spicy dark fruits and blackberries. A complex bouquet of toasty oak, cedar and earth tones blend perfectly with the fruit forward aromas. Rich, full tannins and mouthwatering acidity produce a great food wine that is capable of ageing for a long period, which is unusual for this wonderful variety.

A perfect wine for wild game, roasted leg of lamb and stews infused with herbs and spices.

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GRAZIANO FAMILY OF WINES  •  707-744-8466