Kula from Maui
I know what you’re thinking. “Wait, did you say Maui?!” Indeed I did. Kula is a white wine from Maui Wine, a winery located in Hawaiian. Yes, they make wine in Hawaii. Every single one of the 50 States makes wine.
My friend E who lives in Athens is more or less from Hawaii. That’s what her driver’s license says anyway. Athens to the ‘big island’ is not an easy or cheap trip for one person, let alone two people and a baby (two of whom need US visas). But she does go home sometimes. Prior to her last trip I begged, a lot, for her to please please please bring home a bottle of Hawaiian wine for me. Bless her; she did.
Maui Wine is located in Kula on the island of Maui. Established in 1974, the vineyards were planted initially with Carnelian, a hybrid grape developed at UC Davis, and pineapples. Because Hawaii. The winery released its first pineapple wine (yes you read that correctly too) in ’77 and a few years later, a blanc de noirs, traditional method sparkling wine with the Carnelian. Fast-forward to now and the winery is still going strong. In addition to the pineapple wines and one raspberry wine, Maui Wine produces Estate and Rose Ranch series with a slew of grapes including: Grenache, Syrah, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, and Chardonnay.
Maui Wine Kula 2018 Tasting Notes
On to the wine! A lot of people looked at me in deep skepticism when I said I had a Hawaiian wine. I’m very glad I let them have their doubts and kept the wine for myself. Boy howdy, was it a wine.
A very pretty pale lemony color on the pour, the wine revealed a tropical character. Which, sure maybe a bit of a psychosomatic reaction! But the very fruity nose was filled with peach, guava and lychee with ginger detail and vanilla cream and floral notes. The palate, just barely off-dry with a sensual roundness and non aggressive acidity showcased many of the same flavors that I appreciated in the nose with the addition of pomelo rind and pith.
I do not know for certain what the blend is. Maui Wines’s website doesn’t list it. However, after much Googling I found a blog that reviewed a visit to the winery and several of its wines so I’m going to go with what they stated the blend to be. 44% Sauvignon Blanc, 44% Viognier, and 12% Muscat. Given the Kula’s profile that seems like a pretty appropriate blend. The resulting medium plus body with 14.1% abv had this wine falling into the dangerously drinkable category. A little weighty thanks to the Viognier but still with a freshness and a joyfully fruity palate it was way too easy to drink!
I’ve never been to Hawaii. But if I ever manage to make it there a trip to Maui Wine is at the top of my list!