2020 Tamber Bey Lambentz Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Tamber Bey Vineyards was founded in 1999, when Barry Waitte purchased a 60-acre vineyard in Yountville and 11 acres in the Oakville appellation. For several years Waitte called his estate the Two Rivers Vineyard, then changed it to Deux Chevaux. In 2000 he hired winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown and changed the name of the company a few years later to Tamber Bey Vineyards. Today the winemaker is Frederic Delivert. The estate also includes an equestrian facility. Tamber Bey makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Bordeaux blends, as well as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Pope Valley is not an official AVA, though if the vintners who grow grapes and make wine there have their way, it will someday gain AVA status. The area is 25 miles east of the Silverado Trail above Rutherford and St. Helena, near Lake Berryessa, and proposals by local vintners would include about 108 square miles of land. Elevation here ranges from 500 to 1,400 feet and temperatures are more extreme that Napa Valley appellations closer to water.

This crisp, dry white wine hails from France but is grown in wine regions around the world. In California, it is sometimes called Fume Blanc; while in Sauternes, it is a component of their famous dessert wines.