In the Tasting Room, we are often asked how long will Orfila wines keep and when should they be enjoyed. Winemaker Leon Santoro offers these guidelines:
Orfila wines age quite well when stored properly. Ideally, they should be kept at 55 degrees in a wine storage unit. If you don't have access to a wine storage unit, then store them in a cellar or where the temperature will be cool and consistent.
Aging time is from the year (vintage) shown on the bottle's label. The vintage represents the year the grapes were harvested.
| Chardonnay | 4 to 6 years |
| Muscat Cannelli | 4 to 5 years |
| Viognier, White Riesling, Gewurztraminer | 2 to 3 years |
| Ambassador's Reserve Merlot | 8 to 10 years |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 8 to 10 years |
| Coastal Cuvee Merlot, Syrah | 6 to 8 years |
| Sangiovese and Pinot Noir | 6 to 8 years |
If one prefers the youthful up-front fruit flavors of white wines, drink them early. For red wines, you may want the exuberant fruitiness of a young red. If so, drink them within two or three years. However, you may miss the myriad flavors that evolve with age, one of the joys of babying a good red.
