Bodega Hermanos Mesa is run by a trio of brothers who farm the same vines their grandfather planted back in the 1940s-50s. Nestled in the Guímar valley on Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, the vines grow on steep rocky slopes rich in volcanic soils from Mount Teide. This blend of predominantly Listan Blanco along with 2-3% of Albillo Criollo, another, even more obscure indigenous varietal, comes from a handful of parcels throughout the valley and is named ‘Locartas’ after the family’s original plot. The extremely dry and windy climate is conducive to herbicide-, pesticide-, and chemical-free farming with only minimal SO2 in the vineyards where all work is done by hand. The grapes are vinified in stainless steel tank via spontaneous fermentation before aging for six months, 90% in tank and 10% in French oak. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity, this taut beauty boasts sumptuous aromas of apricot, almond and white flowers followed by ripe stone fruit flavors and grippy salinity on the finish. Locartas pairs wonderfully with a whole roasted branzino with cilantro and lime or a peach tomato salad with whipped goat cheese and basil!