Birichino Petulant Naturel Skin-Fermented Malvasia Bianca, Monterey, California

Sunlight in a glass and rebellion in the bubbles, the 2022 Birichino Pétulant Naturel Skin-Fermented Malvasia Bianca, Monterey, USA, is a pét-nat that dances between the poetic and the punk. Born from California’s coastal sands and kissed by Monterey Bay fog, this sparkling, skin-contact marvel transforms the wildly aromatic Malvasia Bianca into a golden, textural daydream, bold, fragrant, and completely untamed.

Product Details:

• Winemakers & Owners: John Locke & Alex Krause
• Grape Variety: 100% Malvasia Bianca
• Appellation: Monterey, California, USA
• ABV: 13%
• Harvest Date: September 15, 2022
• Elevation: 600 feet
• Fermentation: Skin-contact for 33 days; spontaneous fermentation
• Aging: 14 months in neutral puncheons
• Production: 224 cases

Sensory Description:

Brimming with aromas of white peach, pear, nectarine, and honeysuckle, this pét-nat layers orchard fruit with a lift of citrus pith and gentle bitterness. The 33 days on skins bring savory grip and texture, while a final addition of fresh Malvasia juice sets off a subtle sparkle. The result is a refreshingly edgy yet supremely elegant wine that finishes with floral spice and mouthwatering fruit length.

Winemaker's Background:

Founded in 2008 by winemakers John Locke and Alex Krause, alums of Bonny Doon Vineyard, Birichino is known for producing expressive wines with minimal intervention from heritage vineyards across California. The duo focuses on old vines and coastal terroirs, working in close partnership with multigenerational growers while eschewing additives and synthetic interference. Their goal: to make wines with unmistakable character, playful charm, and serious depth.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve well-chilled between 6–8°C to highlight its zesty aromatic character and gentle sparkle. Pair it with grilled calamari, Vietnamese shrimp rolls, creamy goat cheese, or simply sip it solo as a vibrant aperitif.

The 2022 Birichino Pétulant Naturel Skin-Fermented Malvasia Bianca, Monterey, USA is an unfiltered dream, one that takes you on a sun-splashed, citrus-scented ride across the California coast and deep into the heart of Malvasia’s expressive potential.