Gris vs. Grigio

We received a couple of queries from very astute readers, asking why we choose to label our Estate wine as Pinot Grigio (the Italian name), but our Reserve wine as Pinot Gris (the French name).  The wine is crafted from the same grape (Pinot Gris), but shifted stylistically to show off its incredible diversity, and the naming choice reflects the typical style found in each of those regions.  As the Reserve Gris description states:

In contrast to the light, refreshing Pinot Grigio profile of the stainless steel-fermented Estate line, Creekside Reserve shifts gears into a larger-framed, fuller-bodied Pinot Gris style.  Vineyard lots showing strong varietal character and balance were earmarked for the Reserve barrel program and vinified in oak. Five of eight French oak barrels came together in a blend that exhibits both the boosted palate structure of a ferment in oak and the complexity produced by a proportion of carefully monitored spontaneous ‘wild’ fermentations.

With the Grigio we choose to vinify in stainless steel to show off the freshness and vibrancy that this variety can possess, and with our Reserve Gris, we barrel ferment and age our best batches, adding layers of complexity and creating a sense of weight and depth.