Why You Need to Try Flying Leap Vineyards 2021 “Trio” White Blend

Flying Leap Vineyards  

We’ve visited a lot of wineries over the years, but this is the first winery we’ve come across that was founded by former Air Force pilots! Friends Mark Beres, Marc Moeller, and Tom Kitchens met at the USAF Academy and quickly discovered that they shared a love of wine. It didn’t take long for that passion for wine to manifest into an actual wine company, and Flying Leap Vineyards was born in 2010 in Willcox, Arizona.

In recent years, Willcox, Arizona has emerged as a vibrant center for the state’s burgeoning wine community, offering ample opportunity for growth when friends Mark Beres, Marc Moeller, and Tom Kitchens set up shop in the mid-2000s. Their journey began with the purchase of a vineyard in 2011, followed by the acquisition of the “Canelo Hills” winery two years later. The project continued to expand over the next decade, with significant vineyard growth and the addition of spirit distilling in 2016. Today, their operation meets high demand and produces nearly 16,000 cases of wine annually.

While most of the grapes are grown in Arizona, Flying Leap also imports grapes from Argentina and California.

Core Varietals  

Flying Leap Vineyards winemaker Johnny Wood works primarily with French grapes grown in the brand’s Willcox, Arizona vineyards. The current lineup includes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet, Grenache, Graciano, Petit Verdot, and Chardonnay and Malbec, both of which are imported from Argentina. The three grapes used in the “Trio” blend are all estate-grown.

Some Background on the Grapes in This Blend  

Malvasia Bianca

There are several types of Malvasia grapes found in the Mediterranean (primarily found in Italy and Greece), with Malvasia Bianca being the most popular. Regardless of the sub-variety, these wines are known for their fruit-forward nose and palates, with many sippers picking notes of peach, apricot, and orange blossom. If you love ultra fragrant white wines, there’s a good chance you will like Malvasia Bianca. Wines made from Malvasia Bianca tend to be vibrant, refreshing, and are made in both dry and sweeter styles. 

While Flying Leap Vineyards uses this grape in a white wine blend, Malvasia Bianca also makes excellent single varietal wines.

Grenache Blanc

Grenache Blanc is a white grape variety that hails from Spain, and is a mutation of Grenache Noir. This grape might come from Spain, but most wine lovers are familiar with its cultivation in Southern France where it is used in the famous blends of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Expect flavors of green apple, pear, and stone fruits, along with a lovely herbal note that adds a bit of complexity.

Picpoul 

Picpoul is an under-the-radar white grape from southern France; more precisely, the grape is from a region called Picpoul de Pinet. Picpoul grapes have a specific flavor profile that’s hard to resist, especially if you like wines that are light on their feet. The name, which literally translates to “lip stinger,” is a nod to the grape’s high acidity. It’s a taste that has a mouthwatering effect and encourages sip after sip. These wines have coastal palates and pair perfectly with seafood.

Flying Leap Vineyards Have Several Wine Tasting Rooms in Arizona  

This Arizona wine brand has an impressive number of tasting rooms throughout the state. If you’re exploring the wineries of Arizona, you can visit them in Elgin, Tucson, and Tubac.

Check out their tasting room hours here.