Tre Belli Cellar
Mendocino County
Winery
Orsianna Wines seeks to produce wines whose quality level exceeds its humble price point. For years they have grown fine wine grapes and have sold them to some of California’s most prestigious wineries. After witnessing firsthand the great potential of their vineyard holdings, they decided to reserve some of their finest grapes for their own Orsianna Wines. The owners say “our greatest joys and fondest memories seem to have taken place over a beautiful meal with family and friends. There has always been wine on our collective tables and we decided to take the opportunity to express wheat we look for in a wine – a wine that is at once affordable, versatile and approachable, yet hearty enough for aging.” Bob Swain is Orsianna Winemaker, and makes these wines in Ukiah at the Mendocino Wine Company.
Vineyards
Located near Hopland in the eastern part of Mendocino County [formerly owned and organically farmed by Fetzer for many years], the vineyards are on an alluvial fan along the northern Russian River, enjoy cool nights and warm days and are owned by Bernie Orsi, one of the three partners in Orsianna. Orsi owns several vineyards from which he sells fruit to high profile Napa wineries and Russian River Pinot Noir producers as well. The vineyards are all managed according to biodynamic and organic practices (although not certified) and are dry-farmed.
Chardonnay “Lazy Monkey” 2019, Mendocino County Newly Released organically farmed
Made the same way as the Orsianna Label, it is from grapes farmed using organic and biodynamic techniques, made to be highly aromatic, exotic, fruity and bright, with nuanced varietal flavors, pouncy acidity and clean fruit flavors. Only a small amount of new oak was used in the making of this wine. Aged in neutral oak, completing ML fermentation. 500 cases.
Chardonnay 2017, Mendocino County 13.5% alcohol organically farmed
A bouquet of floral aromas with delicate touches of green apples, melon and light minerality. The palate is well- balanced with fine acidity and harmonious flavors of honeydew melon and stone fruits. Unadorned by winemaking flourishes like flashy new oak, it offers pure and naturally fresh fruit flavors of Bosc pear inspired by the white wines of northern Italy. Farmed according to organic principles, and aged in neutral oak and no Malolactic conversion. No new oak. 600 cases.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Mendocino New Vintage organically farmed
A juicy style, with lush, dark berry flavors, an elegant texture and a long finish. Made with extended maceration and 5% Petite Verdot, for an easy, juicy, medium-bodied Cabernet with a long fruit finish. Grown on well-drained river- bed soil in one of the original organically-farmed Fetzer Family vineyards in ideal Cabernet climate near Hopland. Aged in 2-year old oak, but no new oak.
Syrah 2014, Dry Creek, Sonoma organically farmed
Among Orsianna’s highest quality wines to date. The fruit is grown with very low yields on a sloping hillside vineyard in Healdsburg. Winery Notes: “It has beautiful blueberry and blackberry on the nose, a fruity but not sweet palate, medium to rich body, soft tannins, and a long, delightful and elegant finish.” Aged in older barrels, but no new oak. 400 cases.
Zinfandel 2017, Dry Creek, Sonoma organically farmed
The newest Orsianna wine is from a warm hillside vineyard in Dry Creek planted in the 1990’s. It offers blueberry, ripe cherry, plums, boysenberry flavors and explodes with jammy fruit followed by spice and great balance on the palate. Made with no new oak, using 1-2 year old barrels. 350 cases.
