Some consider making white wines from red grapes a calling.

“Since I grew up in Mondoza, I’ve been around Malbec vines and wines for a very long time,” explained winemaker J.P.Valot of Valcan Cellars, who makes nearly 200 cases of “Bare” White Malbec annually. “The white Malbec idea: it’s bee in my head for a long time,” Valot says.

Others approach it more pragmatically. “With our estate vineyard int he Dundee Hills AVA, we naturally focus on Pinot Noir,” noted Winter Hill’s Estate winemaker Russell Gladhart. The family owned winery offers approximately 100 to 200 cases of”Pinot Noir Blanc” each year. “We have had a successful Rosé of Pinot Noir program since 2001 and we were interested in exploring another aspect of Pinot Noir.”

Others like the novelty. Tony Rynders of Tendril Wine Cellars claimed fame decades ago as a white Pinot Noir winemaker at Domaine Serene. After leaving there, he eventually created his own “The Pretender” white Pinot Noir. “It’s a true discovery wine for our customers when they come to the winery,” stated Rynders. “The style we’re making is a serious, interesting, and, hopefully compelling expression of Pinot Noir, but in a form that people don’t come across every day It’a a real celebration of texture.” Paid subscribers may access the full article here.