Double Decker Pinot Grigio

Double Decker Pinot Grigio is a California white wine bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format, blending Pinot Grigio with small additions of Viognier and Riesling. What sets this wine apart from most Pinot Grigios on the shelf is its unusual three-grape composition — 93% Pinot Grigio, 3% Viognier, and 4% Riesling — which introduces floral aromatics and textural depth rarely found at this price point.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Central Coast, California  |  Varietal Blend: 93% Pinot Grigio, 3% Viognier, 4% Riesling  |  Producer: Wente Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Double Decker is produced on the Wente Vineyards property in Livermore Valley, California, drawing its Pinot Grigio fruit from the Santa Lucia Highlands — a cool-climate growing region known for producing grapes with bright acidity and concentrated flavor. Fermentation takes place in upright stainless steel tanks at cold temperatures specifically to preserve the wine's aromatic freshness and fruit character. The wine is then aged entirely in stainless steel with zero oak contact, resulting in a very light yellow color and a clean, crisp profile that lets the fruit and floral elements speak clearly.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with green apple and lime zest, followed by delicate floral notes contributed by the Viognier and Riesling components. A subtle mineral quality sits underneath, keeping the aromatics grounded and inviting.

Taste: On entry, the palate is bright and crisp with prominent green apple and citrus flavors. Mid-palate, tangerine and soft floral tones emerge, adding dimension beyond a standard Pinot Grigio. The acidity is well-balanced — lively enough to feel refreshing without veering into sharpness.

Finish: The finish is clean and moderately short, with lingering citrus peel and a faint mineral edge. It leaves the palate refreshed rather than coated, making it an easy wine to return to glass after glass.

How to Drink Double Decker

Serve well-chilled, ideally between 45–50°F, to let the fruit aromatics shine without muting the floral complexity. This wine works beautifully on its own as an aperitif or paired with lighter fare. For cocktail-curious drinkers, try it in a White Wine Spritzer with soda water and a lime wheel to amplify its citrus notes, a Hugo Spritz where the existing floral character complements elderflower liqueur naturally, or a Pinot Grigio Sangria with sliced stone fruit and fresh mint for a crowd-friendly warm-weather punch.

Best For

• Casual weeknight dinners with lighter proteins like chicken or fish
• Warm-weather patio gatherings where easy-drinking whites are essential
• Introducing white wine drinkers to blended expressions beyond single-varietal bottlings
• Brunch entertaining alongside egg dishes, fruit salads, and light appetizers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Decker Pinot Grigio taste like? Double Decker Pinot Grigio delivers crisp green apple and lime flavors with tangerine and floral notes on the mid-palate, finishing clean with a touch of mineral. The small additions of Viognier and Riesling give it more aromatic complexity than a typical Pinot Grigio.

How does Double Decker compare to Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio? While Ecco Domani sources its Pinot Grigio from northeastern Italy and delivers a straightforward, purely varietal expression, Double Decker takes a different approach by blending in 3% Viognier and 4% Riesling for added floral lift and aromatic layering. The California origin also gives Double Decker slightly riper fruit character compared to the leaner Italian style of Ecco Domani.

Is Double Decker Pinot Grigio good for everyday drinking? Its crisp acidity, clean finish, and approachable flavor profile make it a solid everyday white wine that works well on its own or alongside a wide range of lighter meals.

Where is Double Decker Pinot Grigio made? Double Decker is produced on the Wente Vineyards property in Livermore Valley, California, with Pinot Grigio grapes sourced from the Santa Lucia Highlands on the Central Coast — a cool-climate region prized for retaining natural acidity in white grape varieties.

What foods pair well with Double Decker Pinot Grigio? Grilled shrimp or white fish benefit from the wine's citrus brightness. Fresh goat cheese salads mirror its crisp acidity. Sushi and lighter sashimi complement its clean, mineral edge. Chicken piccata echoes the lemony notes, and vegetable risotto pairs well with the wine's subtle floral undertones.

What sizes does Double Decker Pinot Grigio come in? Double Decker Pinot Grigio is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Double Decker Pinot Grigio worth the price? Double Decker positions as an affordable, everyday white wine that punches slightly above its weight thanks to the Viognier and Riesling additions — a blending decision uncommon at this value tier that provides noticeably more aromatic interest than many comparably priced Pinot Grigios.

Why Double Decker?

The defining feature of this wine is its unconventional blend: most affordable Pinot Grigios are single-varietal wines that deliver clean but one-dimensional fruit, while Double Decker's inclusion of Viognier and Riesling adds genuine floral complexity and aromatic range. The Santa Lucia Highlands sourcing provides a quality foundation — this is a recognized cool-climate growing area that appears in far more expensive bottlings. Cold fermentation and all-stainless-steel aging preserve every bit of that fruit and floral character without introducing oak influence. For drinkers who enjoy Pinot Grigio's crispness but want something with a little more personality, this California blend delivers a distinctive glass at a value-friendly tier.