On The White Keys 2012 - Arietta

•  Presentation of the winery

Napa Valley is an American wine region, located in California. This area is renowned for the high quality of its wines, thanks to a Mediterranean climate. 

The Arietta estate was founded in 1996 by  Fritz and Caren Hatton, in collaboration with winemaker John Kongsgaard. Fritz Hatton has extensive experience in the fine and rare wine business, and is also the foremost wine auctioneer in the United States. Andy Erickson, one of the most accomplished winemakers of his generation (he was assistant winemaker at Harlan Estate before joining Arietta) is Arietta's winemaker. The first project led by Andy Erickson for Arietta was the production of a white wine : On the White Keys (first vintage produced in 2005).
Classical music, especially Opus 111 from the last Piano Sonata from Beethoven is a constant source of inspiration for the estate, both artistically and in taste research for the production of estate wines. The manuscript of Beethoven's Arietta movement is included in each wine label from the estate.

• The estate wines

Arietta estate currently produces four red wines: H. (Hudson) Block, Variation One, Cabernet Sauvignon and Quartet, and a white wine: On the White Keys.

• Wine

First produced in 2005, On The White Keys is the only white wine produced by Arietta estate. 85% of Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma  Mountain and 15% of old vine Semillon compose this wine of remarkable complexity. Sauvignon Blanc provides pleasant acidity, balanced with Semillon viscosity. Semillon also gives the wine its floral aromas. On The White Keys is another example of Arietta's research for best quality and complexity.