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VINEYARDS
Aligoté is a variety, which is little known but widely planted. It is in fact the fourth most planted wine grape variety in the world, with huge plantings IN
Eastern Europe, Ukraine, and Moldavia. It is the other white grape in Burgundy, but has always played second fiddle to the noble Chardonnay. The
Newhouse family has farmed the land south of Sunnyside Washington for generations. They were some of the first wine grape growers experimenting
with different varieties including two acres of Aligoté, planted in the 1970’s.

SEASON
2010 was a very cool growing season with scattered rains throughout the year and harvest. A cool spring and summer were punctuated by late season heat
spikes. The heat spikes did finally ripen the grapes, although special care had to be taken throughout the process for optimum quality. Harvest conditions
were difficult although the conditions produced lighter and more focused wines, with typically higher levels of natural acid.

WINE STYLE & TASTING NOTES
Our Aligoté is barrel fermented, but we use older oak barrels rather than newer oak that we typically use for Chardonnay. The wine is crisp and clean, a
wine with a nice balance of fruit and acidity. Flinty, mineral elements mix with a light floral hint on the nose, followed with the suggestion of tart/sweet
apple and citrus on the palette, making it a wonderful, versatile food wine.

FOOD PAIRINGS
Aligote and Oysters are always a favorite at Steele Wines from the few “Oysters and Aligote” gatherings we’ve had in Alabama, North Carolina and
Washington State. Essentially any type shellfish, grilled or raw compliments the flinty characters and bright acidity of this wine.

ACCOLADES
Bronze medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition