When it comes to crisp white wines, Sauvignon Blanc isn’t the only game in town. Italian white varieties are on the rise in Sonoma County — and the offerings go way beyond Pinot Grigio.
The delicious proof was on full display at this year’s North Coast Wine Challenge. Competing in the sweepstakes round for top honors were two Sonoma County Italians: a Fiano from DaVero Farms & Winery and a Biancolella d’Ischia from Orsi Family Vineyards.
The trend comes as no surprise to local winemakers like Sam Bilbro. He’s the founder and winemaker at Idlewild Wines in Healdsburg, which specializes in Italian-inspired wines.
“Italian varietals offer such a diversity of flavor profiles and joyful food friendliness,” says Bilbro, who makes wine from a Piedmontese grape called Erbaluce, planted at Las Cimas Ranch on the western edge of Russian River Valley…