2019 Paisley Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC 750 ml

The 2019 Paisley is an attention-grabbing, mold-breaking Pinot Grigio, one of the most memorable we’ve tried. Our first glass sent us digging deep in our mental archives to find ones that compare, and it wasn’t easy. Showcasing the prowess of its illustrious Napa winemakers and the Friuli region’s picture-perfect Pinot Grigio conditions, it flaunts a deep richness and complexity we’ve rarely seen from the variety. 

That first illuminating glass, courtesy of winemaker Anna Monticelli herself, was some of the first 2019 Paisley poured in the US, and after tasting it, we didn’t waste any time locking down the exclusive. It’s a rare, word-of-mouth discovery, and the first bottles are available for Wine Access members.

On a sunny afternoon when a handful of Napa’s top winemakers were pouring their acclaimed standbys and passion projects, Paisley was the highlight. Anna and her husband Mario put every bit of their renowned winemaking expertise—sharpened at 100- and 99-point icons like Bryant Family Vineyards and Quintessa—into this vibrant and balanced wine. 

The wine’s pedigree is evident from the nose alone. Aromatically deep, its chamomile, honeysuckle, and limestone compose a complexity that raises eyebrows and teases the bright palate ahead. And that palate delivers in spades, spotlighting nectarine, lemon, and spice balanced on a line of zippy acidity. This is Pinot Grigio strutting its stuff, showing the heights that the grape can reach from a foundation of expert winemaking and ideal terroir.

To produce the Paisley, the Monticellis have paired their veritable talents with the vineyards of Reguta, a pillar in Italy’s northeastern Friuli region. Friuli is one of the world’s best refuges for Pinot Grigio, which Wine Enthusiast called one of the two “finest growing zones for white wine in Italy.” The estate has an ideal location mere miles from the Adriatic Sea, giving its vineyard a front-row seat to the region’s famous Bora wind, which keeps the air dry and cool, an Eden for Pinot Grigio, which rewards cool climates with generous and energetic wines. 

Founded in 1920 by Ettore Anselmi, Reguta moved to Friuli in the 1950s and began focusing on the region’s native white wines. After his grandsons Giuseppe and Luigi took over In the ‘90s, they turned their attention to Pinot Grigio, making significant investments in their property, technology, and cellar equipment, centered on crafting exceptional wines from this grape. 

Decades later, the Monticellis took advantage, adding their winemaking acumen to the mix. And today, Wine Access members reap the reward: an outstanding Pinot Grigio making its US debut in your glass.