Mela, a new, women-owned wine label, announced the launch of its inaugural releases: Mela 2021 White Blend and Mela 2020 Red Blend. Short for melanin, the name Mela is an ode to the four founders’ different shades of brown and translates into “to gather” and “to be full” in Sanskrit and Hebrew, respectively, it says. The genesis of Mela began back in 2007, when Mela founders Kyndal Easter, Chelsea Walden, Ryann Casey and Erica Estrada became friends as freshmen at the University of Southern California. Mela wines are a blend of the founders’ favorite varietals. The grapes for the Mela White Blend come from vineyards in Napa Valley and Clarksburg, a growing region in the Sacramento Valley, as well as Mendocino, the company says. For the Mela Red Blend, the team sourced from vineyards throughout the Napa Valley and Clarksburg, it adds. The 13.7% ABV Mela 2021 White Blend has aromas of honeysuckle, lemon rind and apricots giving way to a palate of apples, peaches, and juicy pears culminating in a crisp, dry finish. Meanwhile the Mela 2020 Red Blend (14.5% ABV) offers aromas of blackberries, tobacco, and anise followed by red and black fruits, toasted vanilla, and a hint of spice on the palate rounded out by polished tannins and a lush mouthfeel, the company notes. Mela Wines are available exclusively to purchase online at the company’s website. Shipping is currently available to most U.S. states. 

Mela, Napa, Calif.

Internet: www.melavino.com

Distribution: Online