California dreaming...

Though his primary job is winemaker for Larkmead, Dan Petroski's hobby is making Massican, one of the most talked about wines coming out of Napa Valley.

This is Massican's 2023 "Annia," an incredibly expressive blend bringing together mountain Chardonnay fruit with the minerality of two delicious Italian varietals: Tocai Friulano and Ribolla Gialla.

Rare indeed for California, these two Italian white grapes offer a medley of flavors. The Tocai adds zest and minerality, while the Ribolla adds elements of Mediterranean saline and roasted nuts.

Inspired by his studying in Sicily, Petroski explains: "To me, living in Sicily was all about orange and lemon blossoms, the amazing almonds, the salinity, the aromas — I wanted to have those things. Sticking my nose into a Massican transports me to an island in the Mediterranean."

Executing on his vision, Massican's "Annia" has an delightful edge of minerality, floral notes with white peach on the palate and grapefruit zip on the finish. A hint of saline is present with a pinch of roasted pine nut.

Wonderfully food friend, enjoy with seafood and light pasta dishes over the next five years.