Ziobaffa Pinot Grigio 23

Filmmaker Jason Baffa has traveled the globe with friends and a film crew documenting his love for surfing. Titles like Singlefin: yellow, One California Day and the award-winning Bella Vita provide an unvarnished look at the surfing lifestyle.

While spending time in Italy with surfer-environmentalist Chris Del Moro and fifth-generation winemaker Piergiorgio Castellani, Baffa's passion for good food, refreshing adult beverages, and a modicum of mischief earned him the nickname "Zio (Uncle) Baffa," among the local surfing community.

This unlikely union of the vinous and surfing worlds marked the beginning of Ziobaffa Wine. With operations jointly managed in California and Italy, the group's goal is to deliver top-quality Italian wines at accessible prices while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.

From grape to bottle, Ziobaffa's production process is built around an unwavering commitment to the planet's health. The estate runs entirely on renewable energy, employs strict zero-waste practices by recycling all waste and treating water, and even uses recycled glass and eco-friendly labels printed with non-toxic ink on FSC-certified paper.

Pinot Grigio is often the Rodney Dangerfield of the grape world -- it gets little or no respect. It's doubly true when that Pinot Grigio hails from Sicily. Despite this middling reputation, good Pinot Grigio like Ziobaffa can be sublime, challenging one's vinous expectations and immediately inviting another swirl and sip.

In your glass, this organic and vegan Pinot Grigio opens with vibrant aromas of citrus, melon, tropical fruits, and just a whisper of candied ginger. The tropical notes translate like a champ to the palate, and I find a surprising amount of brightness and lift for a Sicilian white. There's a gentle beam of minerality that keeps the wine clean and fresh all through the finish.

Classic companions such as delicate seafood preparations or light pasta dishes serve as a nod to traditional pairings; however, just like the surfing lifestyle that inspired this wine, go for something more adventurous. Try it with spicy Thai green curry, Indian Dal curry, or pan-seared monkfish with a pineapple-tomato-basil salsa.

Rodney may have not gotten any; however, Ziobaffa will earn your respect!