Clos Du Bois Pinot Grigio

Clos Du Bois Pinot Grigio is a California white wine made from 100% Pinot Grigio grapes, bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2021 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the 2022 vintage picked up a Silver medal at the San Diego International Wine Competition — consistent recognition for a wine at this price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Sonoma County & Coastal California  |  Style: Crisp, Unoaked White  |  Winery: Clos du Bois

Production & Heritage

Clos du Bois was founded in 1974 in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, originally gaining a reputation for its Chardonnay and Merlot before expanding into other varietals. The Pinot Grigio sources grapes from cooler vineyard sites across Sonoma County and California's coastal regions, where marine influence and foggy mornings help preserve natural acidity in the fruit. Fermentation takes place entirely in stainless steel tanks with no oak contact whatsoever, a deliberate choice that keeps the varietal's delicate aromatics and bright acidity front and center. The wine is vinted and bottled in Modesto, California.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: White peach and ripe melon emerge first, followed by pink grapefruit and a thread of delicate floral character. A subtle mineral undertone provides a clean, inviting lift.

Taste: The entry is bright and citrus-driven, with lime zest and grapefruit immediately establishing a lively framework. Mid-palate, softer melon and stone fruit notes develop, balanced by high acidity that keeps the wine feeling energetic rather than heavy. Hints of kiwi and passionfruit add a touch of tropical complexity.

Finish: Crisp and refreshing, with lingering citrus and a faint mineral edge. The finish is moderate in length, clean enough to make the next sip feel inevitable.

How to Drink Clos Du Bois Pinot Grigio

Serve well chilled, between 45–50°F, to highlight the wine's acidity and aromatic freshness. This is a straightforward sipper that shines without much fuss — pour it straight into a white wine glass and let it do its work.

Spritz: The high acidity and citrus profile make it an excellent base for a white wine spritz with soda water and an orange slice. Sangria Blanca: The melon and stone fruit notes blend naturally with sliced peaches, green apple, and a splash of elderflower liqueur. Hugo Cocktail: Swap prosecco for this Pinot Grigio with elderflower syrup, fresh mint, and soda for a lighter riff on the Northern Italian classic.

Best For

• Warm-weather patio drinking when you want something cold and uncomplicated
• Weeknight dinners with lighter fare like grilled fish or pasta primavera
• Bringing to a casual gathering where crowd-pleasing drinkability matters
• Stocking a house wine that balances quality and everyday value

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clos Du Bois Pinot Grigio taste like? It leads with bright citrus flavors — lime zest, pink grapefruit — layered over softer melon and white peach, finishing clean and crisp with lively acidity throughout.

How does Clos Du Bois Pinot Grigio compare to Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio? Santa Margherita hails from Alto Adige in northeastern Italy and tends toward a more mineral, restrained style typical of its alpine terroir. Clos Du Bois leans riper and more fruit-forward, reflecting California's warmer growing conditions, and typically sits at a significantly lower price point.

Is Clos Du Bois Pinot Grigio good for sipping on its own? Yes — the stainless steel fermentation preserves clean fruit character and bright acidity, making it a refreshing standalone pour, especially when served well chilled.

Where is Clos Du Bois Pinot Grigio made? Clos du Bois sources Pinot Grigio grapes from cooler vineyard sites in Sonoma County and along California's coast, with the wine vinted and bottled in Modesto, California.

What foods pair well with Clos Du Bois Pinot Grigio? Grilled shrimp or prawns complement the wine's citrus brightness. Light salads with goat cheese echo its clean acidity. Sushi and sashimi work well alongside the crisp, mineral-edged finish. Chicken piccata mirrors the lemony notes in the glass. Fresh ceviche matches the wine's tropical fruit undertones.

What sizes does Clos Du Bois Pinot Grigio come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Clos Du Bois Pinot Grigio worth the price? It positions as an entry-level to mid-range California Pinot Grigio, and the 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast for the 2021 vintage suggests strong value relative to its price tier — a rarity for wines at this level.

Why Clos Du Bois Pinot Grigio?

The 90-point Wine Enthusiast rating for the 2021 vintage puts this wine in rare company for an everyday California white. The all-stainless-steel production method preserves a purity of fruit and acidity that many comparably priced Pinot Grigios lack, where residual sweetness or flabby structure often creep in. Sourcing from cooler coastal and Sonoma County sites gives the wine more backbone and aromatic complexity than typical Central Valley bottlings. For a reliable, food-friendly white that consistently over-delivers against its modest positioning, Clos Du Bois has built a track record that extends back to the winery's founding five decades ago.