McBride Sisters Collection Reserve White Wine “Abalone or Pāua?” Paso Robles, California 2020

Club Member Price: $44.99

From one of California’s most prestigious wine regions, the McBride Sisters Collection Reserve White “Abalone or Pāua?”is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Viognier and Marsanne, showcasing a creamy texture supported by firm acidity.

Located on the Eastern side of the Santa Lucia Mountain range, Paso Robles boasts scenic rolling hills that soak up the California sunshine. The Adelaida District sub-appellation benefits from its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, which lends freshness and structure to wines from this area.

The soil across the 26,000 acres of vineyards in Paso Robles is mostly shale and limestone, closely resembling the soils of Southern Rhône, and making it ideal for growing white Rhône varietals like Grenache Blanc, Viognier and Marsanne.

Grenache Blanc provides the acid backbone, crystalline purity and drive of the blend. Viognier, both highly aromatic and texturally engaging, adds floral and apricot aromas as well as weight and body to the palate, while Marsanne contributes a slate-like character to the finish.

“Growing up an ocean apart in Monterey, California and Marlborough, Aotearoa New Zealand, Andréa and I were fascinated by Abalone shells, called Pāua in Māori, that could be found near our childhood homes. The label art pays tribute to these iridescent and vibrant shells, and the unique soil of the vineyards for our Reserve White Wine, which were once an ocean floor. This Reserve tastes like the moment you come back home, no matter how far you came.”
-Robin McBride