Fun, light wines – Frizzante Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir – from Francis Ford Coppola’s granddaughter, Gia Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s Director of Winemaking Corey Beck announced today the debut of “Gia by Gia Coppola” – a new wine brand created by Gia Coppola, Francis’s granddaughter, reflecting her easygoing, unpretentious and inspiring personality.
The “Gia by Gia Coppola” label includes three distinct varietals – a Frizzante Chardonnay, a Pinot Grigio and a Pinot Noir.
“Wine was always on the table growing up and so I learned about the family business at a young age,” says Gia Coppola. “I wanted these wines to reflect my style. I enjoy light, easy-to-drink wines that are low in alcohol.”
Gia collaborated with Francis and the winemaking team to create the wines in a style that reflects her individuality. She also spearheaded the creative direction, designing the vivid, captivating labels and hand selecting the unique glass bottles – pulling inspiration from vintage perfume bottles.
Following in the footsteps of her grandfather as a filmmaker, photographer, artist and now winemaker, Gia has been involved with the family winery for over a decade, joining the biannual board of directors meetings since her early teen years. She was always intrigued by such topics as how the weather affected the grapes or why one particular wine was selling faster than another.
“I was always envious that every family member had a wine,” says Gia, adding “I love watching the process of how the idea evolves, so I was excited and grateful when it was finally my turn.”
Beck and his team of winemakers worked alongside Gia for several months on the process, perfecting each wine’s profile to match Gia’s character. Following her grandfather’s lead, she was very hands-on throughout the development and continues to be closely involved in the sales and marketing outreach of her wines.
“It was a pleasure working with Gia on these wines,” says Corey Beck. “We intentionally crafted them to be lower in alcohol, with each one at a mere 11.5%, and, as a result, low in calories – a quality that appeals to Gia and offers consumers fun, approachable wines.”
2012 Gia Frizzante Chardonnay
Gia Frizzante Chardonnay is a lightly sparkling, effervescent wine with fresh, lively fruit flavors. The fruit comes from cool climate vineyards along the Central Coast of California, where the grapes benefit from a daily incursion of fog, and soils that bring out the leaner side of the fruit, which is good for sparkling wine. Juicy impressions of pear, pineapple and citrus notes dominate this wine. Most fortuitously, 2012 was an excellent vintage in California, making the debut release of Gia Frizzante even more special. SRP: $13.99
2012 Gia Pinot Noir
Gia Pinot Noir offers a silky texture, pretty spice notes and impressions of fresh picked strawberries and raspberries with pomegranate and a hint of peach. There is a refreshing acidity and harmonious balance to this wine, with a light, juicy quality and gentle sweetness. Lean and smooth, the wine shows good length and an aromatic finish that hints ever so surprisingly at coconut. Perfect for pairing with hors d’oeuvres, roasted chicken, and linguine with pesto sauce. SRP: $13.99
2013 Gia Pinot Grigio
With an alluring perfume of bergamot orange, honeysuckle and plumeria flowers, Gia Pinot Grigio presents vibrant flavors of pineapple, white peaches and the minerality of wet stones. It delights the palate with bright acidity, a touch of sweetness and a lingering finish of fresh fruit. This perky wine has a light body, with a hint of spritz, making it delightfully refreshing and perfect for pairing with seafood, shellfish, spring salads and light appetizers. SRP: $13.99
For more information on Gia Coppola or “Gia by Gia Coppola” wines, please visit www.GiaWine.com, and corresponding links to Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
“Gia by Gia Coppola” wines can be purchased at participating restaurants and retailers, at Francis Ford Coppola Winery or by visiting www.GiaWine.com.
About Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Francis puts it best, saying the winery is “a wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy all the best things in life: food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. A place to celebrate the love of life.” Francis Ford Coppola Winery is located at 300 Via Archimedes in Geyserville, California, accessed from US HWY 101 and the Independence Lane exit. Among the many unique attractions at the property, Francis Ford Coppola Winery features a wine tasting bar, two restaurants, swimming pools, a movie gallery, a performing arts pavilion and a park area with game tables and bocce courts. Francis Ford Coppola Winery opens at 11 a.m. daily. For more information please visit www.FrancisFordCoppolaWinery.com.
