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Winery construction in 1972 |
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We
can all thank Robert Mondavi for the name “Fumé
Blanc.” The story starts more than 35 years ago
when Mr. Mondavi had a dilemma with his Sauvignon
Blanc grapes. As the reds rested in barrel, he
needed to figure out a way to sell his Sauvignon
Blanc, at the time, a rather unpopular variety.
However, he did know that there were many terrific
French Sauvignon Blancs that were very popular – but
were not called by the varietal name. Instead, they were
labeled as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, from the
Loire
Valley region of France.
"Fumé" literally translates to "smoke," but this has
nothing to do with a "smoky" flavor in the wine,
although that is a popular notion. Instead it refers
to the morning fog that covers the Loire Valley and
is "as thick as smoke." |
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After contemplating several different names, he
decided to call the wine Fumé Blanc, a name that
conjured up its more expensive French counterparts.
That was in 1968. |
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In
1972, a young winemaker named
David Stare entered
the winemaking scene in the Dry Creek Valley of
northern Sonoma County. As he wrestled with what to
call his first Sauvignon Blanc release, he sought
the advice of local friends and colleagues. Dave
fondly recalls a lunch with fellow vintner and
friend, Barney Fetzer. “Barney told me that Robert
Mondavi was having enormous success with his Fumé
Blanc. I figured that if it was good enough for
Robert Mondavi, it was good enough for me.”
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Soon after, Dave released his first
Sonoma County
Fumé Blanc and the rest is history. Today, Fumé
Blanc is one of Dry Creek Vineyard’s most popular
wines and continues to be the engine that drives our
dynamic family winery. |
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