Tasting Notes: The Fletcher Arcato is an orange, or skin-contact white wine, made from Arneis and Moscato. Moscato grapes used for the blend are left as whole bunches and put in the open fermenters first. Then the Arneis is destemmed and crushed on top of the Moscato already in the fermenter. The fermentation is done without the addition of yeast and is left to ferment and macerate on skins for about 3-4 weeks before being pressed and allowed to finish fermentation in old barrels. Bottling is done about 8 months later and happens directly from the barrel and hence, is done without fining or filtration and with very minimal sulfites added.
Estate History: David Fletcher is an Australian expat living in Piemonte making wine since 2007. David fell in love with wine in his native Australia where he studied enology at Adelaide University before moving to Burgundy to work some harvests. After returning to Australia, he fell in love with Nebbiolo and decamped for the hills of the Langhe in Piemonte. There he began working for the Barolo estate Ceretto, first as an assistant and now as head winemaker.
As an outsider it was a challenge to integrate himself with the people and traditions of his new home but as a testament to his passion, respect for history and skill making wine, he has done just that. David, alongside his wife Eleanor and their two young daughters, were able to buy Barbaresco's abandoned train station to convert into their cantina and home. Sitting at the foot of vineyards that are visible through the windows, the vision is now complete.
