Fiore 2023
Tasting notes
On a "research" trip to Italy many years ago, we spent days upon days tasting incredible wines from Chianti and Barolo. However, the wine we fell in love with was the little Moscato d'Asti. Bright, fresh and lively, these low-alcohol, high-sugar wines are positively beautiful as a before-dinner libation. Modeled after these exquisite wines, the Fiore ("flower" in Italian) is our interpretation of the great variety Moscato Giallo (Yellow Muscat).
Chill this wine down cold and then enjoy its richness. Fresh berries, peaches and nectarines, saltier shellfish, blue cheese and bread pudding all come to mind as pairings. You could literally do a Fiore dinner wihere the wine pairs with each course! Food for thought!
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Varietal | Muscat |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Moscato Giallo (Yellow Muscat) |
| Appellation | El Dorado |
| Vineyard | Enye Estate Vineyard |
| Acid | .057 |
| PH | 3.24 pH |
| Fermentation | 100% tank-fermented |
| Alcohol | 8.18% |
| Volume | 375 ml |
| Bottling Date | 12/07/2023 |
| Cases Produced | 146 |
We searched long for the perfect clone of Muscat to make the Fiore. In 1997, we found Moscato Giallo from a nursery whose sole purpose was to import the unusual yet exquisite varieties and clones from Italy. Grafted on to the devigorating rootstock 101-14 with a vertical-shoot-positioned trellis system, the north-facing exposure is nearly perfect for grooming a wonderfully balanced Muscat vine. At 2,800 feet elevation, this warm-climate variety thrives in the cool mountain air, producing grapes luscious in tropical fruit with the texture of bright acidity.
Paul Bush, Owner/Winemaker
Madroña Vineyards
Camino, California.
We are a family-owned and operated winery focusing on terroir-driven, Estate-Grown fruit.
Annual Case Production: 12,000 cases
Planted Acres: 70 acres planted at the 2,850 to 3,000 foot elevation.
Career Background: Having helped plant the family vineyards as a kid in 1973, I grew up working in our winery what seemed like every day after school. I had no intention of “winding up” in the wine industry and graduated from U.C. Davis in 1989 with a degree in Economics. However, with an interest in traveling abroad, our winery offered a flexible schedule and an opportunity to work with inspiring winemakers such as Mark Foster and Hugh Chappelle. I began managing the vineyards and business in 1991 and making the wines in late 2002.
Biggest Professional Challenge: Balance! Working with my wife, Maggie, we find our greatest challenge is how to be business owners with all of its responsibilities while making the wines, growing the grapes, marketing the brand and raising two daughters. Any given day can be filled with dusting the vineyards at daybreak, acid trials before lunch, working in the tasting room in the afternoon—and then throw in a swim meet or school play for spice. Undoubtedly, every small, family winery tackles the same aspect of wearing so many hats, but the challenge and excitement is unique to each one.
Varietals that Madroña is Known for: In total, we grow 27 varieties in our El Dorado vineyards. From within these plantings, however, I believe that Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Riesling and the seven Portuguese varieties (for our New-World Port) are consistently outstanding.
Short Testimonial: I truly can’t imagine doing anything else but growing grapes and enjoying wine. I believe the terroir of our region is unique with overall cool-climate aspects, peppered with warm summer days and a slightly shorter growing season. So finding the true expression of each variety for our vineyards ends up being an exciting and challenging adventure every vintage. The wines have more backbone and structure than most regions of California while showcasing the intense varietal character of mountain fruit. Most often, I find that the wine knows best in how it should be “made,” and I’m just along for the ride. As we once heard in France, “One does not make wine. One elaborates wine!” And with our Estate-grown grapes, I am quite content to be the “elaborator.”
