Mosby Winery

Bill Mosby has been concentrating on Italian grapes – some as obscure as Lagrein and Teroldego – near Buellton in the Santa Ynez Valley for nearly a quarter century, long before Cal-Ital was incubated. He says that he’s the first in Santa Barbara County to make a Pinot Grigio and here’s evidence why:

While the nose at the moment is only giving up some pear and lychee, the mouth is awakened by sprightly bright fruit with citrus tinges. It’s crisp but coats the palate at the same time. However, it finishes dry and lingers for a good while. The wine wouldn’t do badly in a blind tasting with others of their type from Trentino or Friuli in northern Italy, where the variety originates.

The vineyard, which is on an alluvial plain of marine origin, consists of limestone and sandy loam. It’s located two miles west of Buellton on Highway 246, hence its name.

The listed alcohol is a California wonderful 13 percent, there were only 1,400 cases produced, and the price is very right.

Reviewed August 1, 2006 by Alan Goldfarb.